HEARTWORM MEDICATIONS | ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Heartworm medications can be thought of in several ways. They can be preventative or for treatment, and they can be natural. There are a number of heartworm medications on the market that can be purchased at your vet but many have side effects. After a discussion of the medications we will discuss alternative prevention and treatment methods. Imagine being able to treat your pet with safe and effective treatment and save a little money in the process.

HEARTWORM MEDICATIONS | PREVENTION

• Revolution – This is a broad spectrum medication that has been reported to be the top of the list for dogs. This medication also protects your dog from flea infestations.
• Interceptor – This medication is reported to prevent heartworms, hookworms, whipworm, and roundworms.
• Heartgard – This medication is widely available that prevents heartworms, hookworms and roundworms. Very few side effects have been reported with this medication.
• Iverhart Max – This medication is used for heartworms and tapeworms. There do not seem to be many reported side effects with this medication.

Active ingredient in Heartgard and Iverhart  is ivermectin. The active ingredient in Interceptor is milbemycin and the active ingredient in Revolution is selamectin oxime. These medications work as a preventative in the sense they are actually using chemicals to kill off heartworms in their early stages. So while some say they are preventative they are also treatment.

INTERCEPTOR HEARTWORM MEDICINE

• The active ingredient used in interceptor heartworm medicine is milbemycin
• Comes in flavored chewable form
• Also protects against roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms

HEARTGARD AND HEARTGARD PLUS

• Heartgard can be given to pregnant dogs
• Comes in chewable form
• Very few side effects
• Widely available online and at your vet’s office
• Also comes in a generic form
• Heartgard Plus also protects against hookworms and roundworms
• Active ingredient is ivermectin

NUHEART HEARTWORM MEDICATION

• Nuheart is the generic form of Heartgard
• Small sized beef flavored tablet
• Australian made product approved by Australian Veterinary Medicine Authority
• Can be dissolved in water and poured over dog’s food
• Available online without  a prescription
• Reported to be 50% cheaper than branded products
• Uses active ingredient ivermectin in the same volume used in Heartgard
• One dose per month just like Heartgard

HEARTWORM MEDICATIONS  OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS

• Many symptoms are difficult to recognize because they are similar to other common problems.
• Symptoms are not the same in both cats and dogs Symptoms of overdose may include tremors and dilated pupils
• Dog symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of coordination
• Cat symptoms include disorientation, blindness, and tremors
• Call vet immediately if suspect an overdose as a overdose can be fatal

SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM  MEDICATIONS

• Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet’s body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.

VETERINARY ADVICE ON HEARTWORM MEDICATIONS

• Because heartworms are such a serious issue you should not administer heartworm medication without consulting your veterinarian. It is just that simple. While you can also use home remedies to fend off heartworms infesting your pets these should be used at the advice of your veterinarian.

Many current heartworm medications produce harmful side effects in our pets. That is why a growing number of concerned pet owners have decided to use natural remedies. Many natural remedies work quite well and save you a bunch of money in the process. Read on through the last paragraph and find out home remedies secrets that are safe and effective.