When it comes to heartworm, Heartgard Plus is the market leader with veterinarians for heartworm treatment. This combination of ivermectin and pyrantel is very effective in the prevention of heartworm.
It is not currently possible to buy Heartgard with no prescription, so you would need to consult your vet before starting treatment.
Heartgard Plus dog treatment comes in three dosages for different weights of dog.
These dosages are packaged for dogs weighing 0-25lbs, 26-50lbs, or 51-100lbs and can be purchases in a convenient 6 dose/6 month or 12 dose/12 month supply.
The weight ranges are conveniently color-coded with Blue being for dogs 0-25lbs, Green for dogs in the 26-50lb range, and Brown for dogs between 51-100lbs.
This helps the owner remember which dosage is appropriate and makes it easy to select the right packet.
Heartgard remains the most popular heartworm prevention product although it has competition from at least one discounted generic brand.
The monthly Heartgard Plus heartworm preventative medication can be given to puppies as young as six weeks of age and can also be safely used by very small dogs, breeding females and stud males.
Prior to starting treatment with Heartgard Plus, dogs over six months of age must be tested for heartworms and receive a clean bill of health.
Heartgard Plus chewables, in addition to protecting against heartworms, two species of roundworms, and three species of hookworms, are beef flavored to make giving them to your pet a much more agreeable process.
Every year, your dog should be tested for heartworms by his veterinarian.
When you choose Heartgard for your dog, you can rest assured that incidence of allergic reaction and neurological malfunction to Heartgard is very low.
Heartgard Plus chewable are made by Merial, the same company who produces Frontline, Enacard, Recombitek, Imbrab and Oravet, so you will know that you are dealing with a reputable company.
Merial also uses no wheat gluten in the manufacture of Heartgard for dogs, so there is no risk of contamination, as with the recent wheat gluten scandals.
You should be very leery of purchasing cheap Heartgard over the internet unless you know the source well.
Heartgard provides you with a method of reminding yourself when it is time for your dog's monthly dose.
With modern life as busy as it is, it's so easy for that one thing to slip your mind, so the Heartgard dogs' site will send a reminder email on a monthly basis.
