Heartgard For Pets
Purchasing a heartworm preventative is one of the loving things you can do for your cat’s
health. However…if you are like most pet owners, you probably have some inquiries.
Below are a few answers to help you narrow down your search.
Q: What is Heartgard?
A: Heartgard is a prescription made for the prevention of heartworm disease in cats and dogs.
Q: How does it work?
A: Invermectin is the chief component. It interferes with the parasite’s nerve transmission, paralyzing and killing the immature heartworms (larvae).
Q: How often should I give this medicine to my cat or dog?
A: 1 time a month.
Note: you would do well to feed your pet his Heartgard medicine on the same day, every month. The stickers, included in your purchase, will help you remember.
Q: What if I miss a dose?
A: If the time between doses is more than thirty days, Invermectin’s effectiveness
could be reduced.
(Remember, Invermectin destroys young heartworms. And missing doses may
enable the heartworms to grow to a point where the medicine is not as effective.)
For that reason, experts recommend scanning your pet for heartworms 61/2 months after the forgotten dose.
Q: What about sensitive breeds like Collies, is this medicine safe for them?
A: Collies and other related breeds have shown sensitivity to Invermectin. But, the amount of Invermectin in Heartgard is nominal. And the manufacturer, Murial, says that the does should be okay if used as
directed.
Q: When should I begin giving my pet Heartgard?
A: Heartgard destroys the larvae your pet was exposed to within the last thirty days. That said, if
you are going to give your dog or cat a seasonal deterant, feed it to him 30 days after the first mosquito makes an appearance.
Q: What about puppies?
A: You can start your puppy on the preventative when he’s at least 6 weeks old.
Q: What if I desire to protect my pet against other parasites like intestinal worms?
A: Consider Heartgard Plus. along with Invermectin, it contains Pyrantel, which destroys hookworms and roundworms in addition to heartworms.
Q: oes my pet need to be examined before feeding him Heartgard?
A: Yes. Feeding a heartworm deterrant to a dog or cat that already is infected heartworms
could cause a severe reaction that might be hazardous or even fatal to your animal.
For this reason you will also have to have a veterinarian’s prescription to purchase Heartgard.
You may also consider using a generic Heartgard.
This posting is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical journals that deal with [medical subject]. Nothing herein is intended to be or
should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician or other m edical specialist.