Heartgard

Heartgard is a veterinary drug available for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs and cats. It is produced by the animal health company Merial. Heartgard is one of the most commonly prescribed oral heartworm preventatives [ http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/heartworm/a/heartworm_2.htm About.com, "Veterinary Q&A: Heartworm Disease".] .

Function and Specifications

Heartgard contains ivermectin as the active ingredient. The product works not by totally preventing the presence of heartworms ("Dirofilaria immitis") in the host animal, but by eliminating the tissue stage of the worm and blocking development to harmful stages. Heartgard Plus is also available, which, in addition to ivermectin, contains pyrantel pamoate, an anthelmintic which controls roundworms and hookworms.
For dogs, Heartgard is available in a once-monthly tablet or beef flavored chewable. Heartgard is approved for use in dogs of all weights, sizes, and breeds over six weeks of age including Collies and other potentially ivermectin-sensitive breeds, as the amount of ivermectin in a directed dose of Heartgard is considerably lower than amounts needed to cause adverse reactions.
Heartgard for cats is available in once-monthly chewable tablets and aids in the removal and control of hookworms as well as heartworms. The product is recommended for use in cats of any weight, 6 weeks of age and older.
Heartgard should not be used on dogs with existing worm infections. Both dogs and cats should be tested for existing heartworm infections prior to beginning medication. While cats with existing heartworm infection can safely be given the medication, it is recommended that infected dogs be treated by other means before starting a preventative program.
Heartgard dosages are calculated according to the weight of the animal. Care should be taken not to exceed the recommended dosage since it may lead to severe side effects including blindness and death.
Heartgard is available only through a licensed veterinarian and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Iverhart [ [http://www.iverhart.com/ Iverhart company website.] ] is the generic equivalent to Heartgard.

References

External links

*http://heartgard.us.merial.com Heartgard Official Website