Is HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) safe?
HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) is well tolerated. The heartworm preventive in HEARTGARD Plus chews has been trusted over 2 billion times.1 HEARTGARD Plus is the #1 vet-recommended heartworm preventive.2
Can HEARTGARD Plus chews be given to pregnant dogs?
HEARTGARD Plus chews have shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs, and puppies aged 6 or more weeks with no minimum weight requirement.3
Do HEARTGARD Plus chews have side effects?
In clinical field trials with HEARTGARD Plus chews, vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing was rarely observed (1.1% of administered doses). The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of HEARTGARD Plus chews: depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions, and hypersalivation. Click here for full prescribing information.
How often do I give my dog HEARTGARD Plus chews?
How long does a dose of HEARTGARD Plus chews last?
How should I give HEARTGARD Plus chews to my dog?
How does HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) work?
HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) contains 2 active ingredients, ivermectin and pyrantel. The ivermectin works to prevent heartworm disease by allowing the immune system to recognize and inactivate heartworm larvae before they can develop into adults.4 The pyrantel in HEARTGARD Plus chews treats and controls hookworms and roundworms.4
Does my dog need a prescription for HEARTGARD Plus chews?
Is there a weight or age requirement to give my dog HEARTGARD Plus chews?
HEARTGARD Plus chews are suitable for dogs 6 weeks of age and older. There is no minimum weight requirement to use HEARTGARD Plus.3
Do HEARTGARD Plus chews need to be used all year even when it is cold outside?
In what sizes and options are HEARTGARD Plus chews available?
HEARTGARD Plus chews are available in 3 different sizes: for small dogs up to 25 pounds, medium dogs weighing 26-50 pounds, and large dogs weighing 51-100 pounds. For dogs over 100 pounds, use the appropriate combination of these chewables.3 Each size also comes in packs containing 1-, 6-, or 12-month doses. HEARTGARD Plus is safe to use in all dogs aged 6 weeks and older. Following the use of HEARTGARD Plus, digestive and neurologic side effects have been reported.
Do HEARTGARD Plus chews only prevent heartworm disease?
No, the pyrantel in HEARTGARD Plus chews treats and controls hookworms and roundworms.4
Who can I speak with regarding any specific HEARTGARD Plus chews questions?
For any specific product questions, please talk to your vet or call the customer service line of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health at 1-888-637-4251.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is an invisible, but potentially fatal threat that occurs in dogs and other animals. Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are parasitic worms that are transmitted to dogs by infected mosquitoes. Microscopic larvae of heartworms develop and grow under the skin, then migrate to the blood vessels of the heart and lungs of the infected animal where they rapidly grow, becoming adults that are 5-12 inches in length.5
How do dogs get heartworms?
Dogs get heartworms by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Larvae are deposited on the skin when the infected mosquito bites, then when the infected mosquito leaves, the heartworm larvae enter through the bite wound. One bite is all it takes.6
What are the signs of advanced heartworm disease?
Not all dogs develop noticeable clinical signs. While blood tests performed by your veterinarian are the only way to confirm a diagnosis of heartworm disease in dogs, here are 5 warning signs that are reported in dogs with advanced heartworm disease:
1. A persistent, dry cough is a common sign seen in dogs with advanced heartworm disease.
2. Lethargy and reluctance to exercise are also common signs described in dogs with heartworm disease.
3. Some dogs have a decreased appetite and, as a result, lose weight.
4. As heartworm disease progresses, it can lead to heart failure. You may notice that your dog’s belly appears swollen from fluid in the abdomen.
5. In the most advanced cases, dogs can develop more severe respiratory issues like rapid breathing in addition to coughing.
How can I reduce the risk of heartworm disease in my dog?
There are 3 things you can do to help reduce the risk of heartworm disease:
1. Use monthly preventives, like HEARTGARD Plus chews, on a year-round basis to safely and effectively prevent heartworm disease by affecting the heartworm larvae before they can grow into dangerous adult heartworms.4
2. Reduce mosquito exposure by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can breed, avoid known mosquito habitats, and limit outdoor exposure during peak mosquito feeding times.5
3. Get your dog tested every year. Before getting a prescription for a heartworm disease preventive, your dog must be tested for heartworms. Talk to your vet about testing options.5
Can heartworm disease be treated?
What is the vet-recommended way to protect my dog from heartworm disease, hookworms, and roundworms?
The vet-recommended way to protect your dog is by giving them a broad-spectrum heartworm disease preventive like HEARTGARD Plus chews that also kills hookworms and roundworms every month.