HEARTGARD PLUS (IVERMECTIN/PYRANTEL)
Heartgard Plus Description
“Your dog has heartworm”. Four words that no dog owner wants to hear. More and more pet parents are stepping up their game and putting their dog on a heartworm schedule to decrease the risk of going through painful and expensive treatments to combat a possible heartworm infection. Heartgard Plus contains two active ingredients that can help to protect your canine. Some owners will treat year-round while others will wait for the approach of mosquito season. Either way, you can have ease of mind knowing you have taken steps to try and avoid infection.
Heartgard Plus or generic Ivermectin/Pyrantel doesn’t just kill heartworm; it also works on other intestinal worms as well. Ivermectin interferes with the nervous system and muscle function of the immature heartworm which causes their eventual death. Pyrantel treat roundworms or hookworms and works like a neuromuscular blocker in order to paralyze the worms so they detach and are excreted through your dog’s feces. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.
Conditions Treated by Heartgard Plus
If you have never had your dog tested for heartworm, your veterinarian may recommend doing so to make certain that the health of your dog is good before starting the treatment. Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) occurs from the bite of an infected female mosquito. The larva now inside the mosquito is deposited into an uninfected dog when another blood meal is required. These microfilaria burrow into your dog where they undergo several changes before becoming adult worms. They are ready to travel now and make their way to the right side of your dog’s heart via a vein and are waiting to reproduce. It can take up to a year before your pet will show signs that something is going on. A worsening cough, lethargy, weight loss, and poor coat condition are signs to be aware of.
Before Administering Heartgard Plus
Ask your veterinarian if there are any risks with giving your dog Heartgard Plus as some medications could be breed specific and be harmful. Tell your vet if your dog is, or suspected to be, pregnant and if it’s safe for her to be breast feeding pups. Be certain you are buying the correct size/strength according to your dog’s weight.
Warnings for Heartgard Plus
Keep this and other medication safely away from other pets and children. Pet owners can decide whether year-round or seasonal treatment should be carried out. If temperatures during fall or winter are 57 degrees F or lower, you only need to remember to treat during the spring and summer. Hot and humid climates are good indicators that mosquitoes are found in greater numbers and possibly all year through. Although heartworms are not a danger to humans, other intestinal worms can be a threat. Be cautious and wear gloves when cleaning up after your dog and dispose of the feces carefully.
Possible Side Effects of Heartgard Plus
·Vomiting
·Diarrhea
·Hypersalivation
Drugs Similar to Heartgard Plus
·Sentinel Spectrum
·Trifexis
·Interceptor Spectrum
The information provided on the NorthWestPharmacy.com website is intended to facilitate awareness about healthcare products and medical conditions generally but it is not a substitute for professional medical attention or advice. You should always speak with a qualified healthcare practitioner before taking any prescription or non-prescription drug.