Product Focus: Heartgard

There are a lot of products and medications available for your pets. How do you know what each one is for and if it is the right choice for your pet? The best way is to ask your veterinarian! We are also going to take a look at certain products and what the do and what possible side effects they may have. The more information you have, the better decisions you can make for your pet!

(Image Source)

First up is Heartgard! This is a heartworm preventative that is cleverly disguised as a treat. It is given monthly. The good news is that because it is beef flavored most pets love it! It is very easy to get them to take this medication. One thing to remember is that although it is delicious it is still a medication and therefore has a job to do.

(Image Source)

Heartworm disease is on the rise throughout the country. The American Heartworm Society (website) recommends year round prevention. It is much safer (and cheaper) to prevent heartworm disease, then it is to treat it! Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and travel through the blood supply and the adults end up living in the heart and lungs. This is a very serious disease but fortunately, there are products like Heartgard that can help prevent it from happening.

Roundworms are found in the stool. Typically we look for the eggs under the microscope. (Image Source)

Heartgard also helps prevent roundworms and hookworms. These are intestinal parasite that many dog will pick up from the environment. Typically pets will ingest the eggs from the environment and they will travel through the digestive track where they will live. Hookworms and roundworms can be found on routine fecal screenings and do not require a blood test like heartworms do.

Good news for cat owners! They make heartworm preventatives for them too! (Image Source)

As with any medication, there are a few potential side effects to be aware of when using Heartgard. The active ingredient that prevents heartworm is called ivermectin. This is an anti-parasitic drug that has been known to cause (rarely) sedation, depression and neurological signs, meaning your pet may appear as though it is drunk or extremely sleepy. The doses used in Heartgard are VERY low, which makes these side effects unlikely, but they can happen. There are certain breeds that also have to be careful with this medication. The reason for this issue is linked to a gene called the MDR-1 gene which is multi-drug resistant gene. This leads to the pet being unable to metabolize certain drugs, which causes them to build up in their system, making it very likely to see the neurological side effects. Collies are the primary breed that may have an issue with Heartgard, but several of the other herding dogs may be affected as well. You can find a full description of the possible side effects here.

Using monthly heartworm prevention is a very important part of keeping our pets happy and healthy! (Image Source)

Overall, Heartgard is a great product because it is effective and most pets LOVE eating it. That makes it much easier to keep up on it every month. If Heartgard doesn't sound like the right fit for your pet, don't worry there are other options available, the most important thing is that we make sure you pet is receiving year round heartworm prevention. If you would like more information on Heartgard you can visit their website here.