0

Home > Drug Category > Pet Medication > Heartgard Dog and Equivalent

Heartgard Dog Information

Heartgard Dog (Ivermectin) is used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs. Heartworm disease is a fatal but preventable infection transmitted by mosquitoes in dogs. Heartgard Dog is also used to control and treat ascarids and hookworms. Antihelmintics like Ivermectin interfere with parasites' nervous system and eliminate the heartworm larvae's tissue stage to prevent heartworm disease.

Heartgard Dog Side Effects

The most common side effects of Heartgard Dog may include drooling, lethargy, staggering, and vomiting. Call your veterinarian right away if your dog has any of the serious side effects, such as:
• Signs of adverse reactions, such as ataxia, tremors, mydriasis, depression, excitability

Heartgard Dog Precautions

Do not administer Heartgard Dog if your dog is allergic to Ivermectin or other ingredients in this medication. Before administering this medication, tell your veterinarian about your dog's medical history, including if it is a collie breed, pregnant, breeding, or lactating. Tell your veterinarian about all your dog's medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Heartgard Dog and other medications. Do not administer Heartgard Dog if your dog is pregnant, breeding, or lactating without talking to your veterinarian. It is unknown if Ivermectin will harm a pregnant, breeding, or lactating dog. Administer this medicine exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian. Heartgard Dog comes as a chewable tablet. Most dogs find this drug palatable. You can give this drug to your dog by mouth or add it to a small amount of dog food. Administer this medicine in a way that encourages your pet to chew and not swallow. However, if your dog normally swallows treats, you can break Heartgard Dog into pieces and feed it to your dog.

Monitor your dog to ensure that all parts of the dose are consumed. If you suspect that any part of the dose is not consumed, it is advisable to re-administer the dose. Your dog's dose will depend on its weight. You can start administering this medicine during the period of the year when mosquitoes are active. The initial dose must be given within a month after the dog's first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month after the dog's last exposure to mosquitoes. Heartgard Dog only removes the larva stage of the parasite. All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with Heartgard. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating treatment with Heartgard. Give this drug to dogs at least 6 weeks of age. Do not use this drug for other household animals. Heartgard Dog is not for use in humans. Wash your hands immediately after administering the medicine. Store Heartgard Dog at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Heartgard Dog?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Heartgard Dog.