All featured Cartesian product are chosen at the discretion of the GreatPetCare editorial squad and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the source or reviewer .
In the American Heartworm Society ’s 2022 survey of heartworm relative incidence , heartworms were diagnosed in dogs in all 50 of the United States [ 1 ] . One in 3 vet said that they felt the relative incidence of heartworms was increasing , while only 1 in 6 felt they ’d seen good command of heartworms in their area . Heartworm practice of medicine for dogs is the practiced way to protect your dogtooth associate from these potentially grievous sponge .
Here is everything you need to recognize about heartworm prevention medicine for dogs , plus a list of vet - approved pick to consider .
Why Do Dogs Need Heartworm Medicine?
Heartworm bar medicine for click is essential for protecting your pet fromcanine heartworms , which are parasitic worms that live in your frankfurter ’s nub . These worms can be over a animal foot in distance , and one dog can have several hundred worm . Over prison term , these worm cause damage to the philia , finally obstructing menses of rakehell within the heart , and leading tosymptoms of pump and lung disease . Untreated , heartworm disease may be fatal .
It only bring the bite of one infect mosquito for your dog to contract heartworms . Each year , heartworm disease spreads to unexampled areas , in part due to climate alteration and in part due to the transport of infected dogs between states .
When a mosquito bit an infected dog , it can then circulate the parasites to other dogs . Stray dogs , neglect dog-iron , coyotes , wolves , and foxes can all contain heartworms . The wind can blow mosquito for miles , so your dog-iron may be at jeopardy even if you ’ve never seen the wildlife yourself . Keep in mind that heartworm - positive hot dog in your neighbourhood could also model a peril to your pet . Rates of infections diverge dramatically from year to class , so year - round prevention is good .
Types of Heartworm Medicine for Dogs
The dog heartworm medical specialty that we ’re focussed on are actually heartworm preventatives .
discourse for dog diagnosed with heartworm disease is not the same as your usual monthly prevention . If yourdog tests positive for heartworms , your veterinary will hash out aheartworm intervention planwith you .
Heartworm preventive medications come in a variety of forms , such as chews , tablets , topicals , or injectables . Many of these product will protect your ducky from other parasites , such as fleas , ticks , or enteric worms , but you ’ll remark there are difference in what the medicine address .
All heartworm preventatives on the market place belong to the macrocyclic lactone class of drug — ivermectin , milbemycin oxime , moxidectin , or selamectin . These medications work by blocking the transmission of nerve cadre signaling in the parasites , in effect paralyzing and starving the dirt ball .
Heartworm prevention requires a ethical drug from a veterinarian .
The List
Best Heartworm Medicine for Dogs: 9Vet-Approved Picks
There are quite a few heartworm medicine for dogs on the market , and many of these are great selection . If your vet is recommending a different product from the ones we ’ve included in this reexamination , it does n’t mean it ’s not a dependable intersection . Work with your veterinarian to detect the mathematical product that best suit you and your heel .
Please notice that these medication are not number in any specific order .
Interceptor Plus
The dynamic element in Interceptor Plus are milbemycin oxime and praziquantel . This mathematical product is a monthly volaille - flavored mastication that protects against heartworms , grownup hookworm , tinea , tapeworms , and whipworms . This product is not label as flea and check mark bar , so a freestanding product would be necessary .
It ’s available in four dose sizes ( 2 - 8 pound . , 8.1 - 25 lb . , 25.1 - 50 lbs . , and 50.1 - 100 pound . ) . dog over 100 pounds can still take this medication but will necessitate a compounding of chewables for appropriate dosing . heel must be at least 2 Irish punt in size of it and 6 weeks or older to take this prevention .
Nexgard Plus
The active ingredients in NexGard Plus are afoxolaner , moxidectin , and pyrantel . The production is a monthly beef - flavor chewable tablet that protect against flea , check , heartworms , roundworm , and hookworms . The medication is not label for whipworms or tapeworm .
It ’s available in five dosing sizes ( 4 - 8 lb . , 8.1 - 17 lbs . , 17.1 - 33 pound . , 33.1 - 66 lbs . , 66.1 - 132 lbs . ) . Dogs over 132 pounds will expect the appropriate combining of tablets to reach their dose . Dogs must be at least 4 dog pound and 8 weeks old to take this heartworm medicine .
Simparica Trio
The active ingredients in Simparica Trio include sarolaner , moxidectin , and pyrantel . The mathematical product is a monthly pork barrel - flavor chewable that protect against fleas , ticks , heartworms , roundworms , and hookworms . It ’s not labeled for whipworms or cestode .
Simparica Trio is available in six dose sizes ( 2.8 - 5.5 lb . , 5.6 - 11.0 lbs . , 11.1 - 22.0 lb . , 22.1 - 44.0 pound . , 44.1 - 88.0 lbs . , and 88.1 - 132.0 pound . ) . dog over 132 Syrian pound will require the appropriate combination of chewables . Dogs must be at least 2.8 pounds and at least 8 weeks older for this heartworm prevention .
Heartgard Plus
The active ingredient in Heartgard Plus are ivermectin and pyrantel . The product is a monthly beef - flavored cud that protect against heartworms , roundworm , and hookworms . This medicament is not label for flea , tick , or tapeworm infestation .
It ’s usable in three dosing size ( 0 - 25 lbs . , 26 - 50 lbs . , and 51 - 100 lbs . ) . dog over 100 pounds will ask to take the appropriate combination of chews to reach their weight . Dogs must be at least 6 weeks of age or older to take this medication .
Tri - Heart Plus and Iverhart Plus are similar medication with the same active ingredient , which may be more toll - effective for some best-loved parent .
Sentinel Spectrum
The active ingredients in Sentinel Spectrum admit milbemycin oxime , lufenuron , and praziquantel . The product is a monthly beef and Roger Bacon - flavored mastication that protects against heartworms , fleas , tapeworms , hookworm , roundworms , and whipworms . The medication is n’t mark as preventing tick .
It ’s available in four dosing sizes ( 2 - 8 lbs . , 8.1 - 25 lbs . , 25.1 - 50 lbs . , and 50.1 - 100 lbs . ) . bounder over 100 pounds will require the appropriate combination of manduction . Dogs must be at least 6 weeks old and 2 pounds to take Sentinel Spectrum .
Trifexis
The active ingredients in Trifexis include spinosad and milbemycin oxime . The product is a monthly squawk - flavored tablet that protect against heartworms , flea , hookworms , roundworms , and whipworms . The medicament does not prevent tick or cestode .
Trifexis is uncommitted in five dosing sizes ( 5 - 10 lb . , 10.1 - 20 pound . , 20.1 - 40 pound . , 40.1 - 60 lbs . , 60.1 - 120 lbs . ) . domestic dog over 120 dog pound will require the appropriate combination of tablets . Dogs must be at least 8 hebdomad old and 5 lb to take this drug .
Advantage Multi
The active element in Advantage Multi include imidacloprid and moxidectin . The production is a monthly topical Cartesian product that protects against heartworms , tinea , hookworm , whipworms , fleas , and sarcoptic mange ( itch ) . To use Advantage Multi , the fur between the shoulder joint blades is parted , and the liquid in the electron tube is squeezed directly onto the skin . The medicine does not prevent tick or tapeworms .
It ’s available in five drug size ( 3 - 9 pound . , 9.1 - 20 lbs . , 20.1 - 55 lbs . , 55.1 - 88 lbs . , and 88.1 - 110 lbs . ) . Dogs over 110 pounds will require the appropriate combination of topical subway to reach their weight . Dogs must be at least 7 weeks honest-to-god and weigh 3 pounds to take Advantage Multi .
Revolution
The active ingredient in Revolution is selamectin . The mathematical product is a monthly topical that protect against heartworms , flea , American dog check mark , ear jot , and sarcoptic speck ( scabies ) . This medicine is applied directly to the skin in the same manner as Advantage Multi . Revolution is n’t labeled as preventing enteral worms in dog-iron .
It ’s available in six dose size ( up to 5 lbs . , 5.1 - 10 lbs . , 10.1 - 20 lb . , 20.1 - 40 lbs . , 40.1 - 85 lbs . , and 85.1 - 130 pound . ) . dog-iron over 130 pounds will require the appropriate combination of topical tubes . Puppies must be at least 6 workweek old to take Revolution .
ProHeart
The active element in ProHeart is moxidectin . This medication is injected under the tegument and can only be dispense by veterinary faculty who have completed education and are certified to give ProHeart . ProHeart 6 is give every six calendar month in the veterinary clinic while ProHeart 12 is given every 12 months in the veterinary clinic .
The medicament foreclose heartworms and treats hookworms . The medicament is n’t labeled as keep tinea , tapeworms , whipworms , fleas , or tick .
dog-iron receiving ProHeart 6 must be at least 6 months older . Dogs receiving ProHeart 12 must be at least 12 month old .
How to ChooseHeartworm Medicine for Dogs
favourite parents should sour with their veterinarian to opt the best method for preventing heartworms in their pet . thing to conceive let in :
In some grammatical case , you ’ll have to witness the better choice through trial and erroneousness . Some dogs take heartworm chews just as easily as they ’d take any other kickshaw . For these dogs , it ’s a great option ! Other dog may not care the taste or get confused stomach , so you may need to choose a unlike pick .
If your dog experiences any side effects from heartworm prevention , make certain to give notice your veterinary . Your veterinarian can help you reckon at different option for your dearie .
Dog Heartworm MedicineFAQ
Can you buy heartworm medicine for dogs over the counter?
Heartworm practice of medicine for dog can only be purchased with a prescription from a veterinarian .
Do dogs need heartworm medicine every month? Even in the winter?
The American Heartworm Society recommend that you “ opine 12 . ” Give heartworm prevention all 12 month of the year , even in the wintertime , and try out your dog for heartworms every 12 month .
Can I give my dog heartworm medicine without testing?
Dogs over 6 week old and under 7 months old can receive heartworm medicine without testing . It select around 6 months for heartworms to reach maturity , which is necessary for the dog to test plus . Thus , a trial in a puppy will always be negative . Otherwise , domestic dog take to have a negative heartworm tryout to have bar . It ’s recommended to test detent six months after your initial veterinary visit , again six calendar month later on , and then annually thereafter .
Does heartworm medicine make dogs sleepy?
Some hot dog may act sleepy-eyed or unenrgetic after taking heartworm medicine .
What if I forgot to give my dog heartworm medicine?
If you are less than two week of late , you may give the medicinal drug and go on as normal . If you ’re over two weeks late , you should give your dog the next dose as before long as possible and speak with your veterinarian about retesting for heartworms in six months . If your dog die over six weeks without prevention , they could be at risk for heartworms .
References
