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About
Heartworm Disease Heartworm
disease is a serious illness that can rob your dog of its health and even its life. Heartworm larvae are transmitted by infected mosquitoes that bite the dog and deposit heartworm larvae
on the dog's skin. The larvae migrate through the tissue and into the bloodstream of the dog where they continue developing.
By the time clinical signs of heartworm disease appear, the disease can already be in its advanced stages. Heartworms spend their adult lives in the right side of the heart and
the large blood vessels that connect the heart to the lungs. The adult worms block the heart and major blood vessels leading
from the heart to the lungs, liver, and kidneys and can grow up to 12 inches long. Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 U.S. states. Your dog deserves protection against heartworms – and it's
easy to do.Heartworm disease can affect dogs
anywhere. The disease has spread to every corner of the U.S. and hundreds of thousands of cases are reported every year1.
Heartworm disease can be prevented by administering an effective heartworm preventive year-round. Protecting your dog against
heartworms and heartworm disease can be convenient, simple, and affordable. How can heartworm disease be prevented?Heartworm disease can be prevented by keeping your dog on monthly form of Heartworm Prevention such as HeartGuard,
IverHeart Max, Interceptor, etc.... It is important to keep your pet on the monthly Heartworm prevention each month and to
have a yearly Heartworm test. Why shouldn't
I wait and see if my dog develops heartworm disease? Can't my veterinarian just treat it?It's important to understand that heartworm disease has usually reached an advanced
stage by the time your dog shows signs of illness, and it is possible that the dog may never show signs of an infection. Treatment
is risky, expensive, and may not be effective. The approved treatment involves the use of a product containing arsenic, your
dog will be kept inactive during treatment, and you will have to keep your dog inactive for weeks afterward – and despite
these measures, treatment may not be successful. How do dogs get heartworms?Heartworms are transmitted from
one dog to another by mosquitoes, which pick up tiny immature heartworms, called microfilariae, when they bite an infected
dog. Larvae develop and are then transmitted to another dog when that dog is bitten by the infected mosquito.
Where are dogs at risk for heartworm infection?All dogs are at risk
for heartworm disease, no matter where they live – heartworms don't discriminate based on geography. In the past, heartworm
disease in the United States was primarily limited to the south and southeast regions. However, it is now found in all 50
states, in Canada, and worldwide, and is spreading to new areas each year1. The American Heartworm Society notes
that uncared-for dogs and certain wildlife can be carriers of heartworms. Mosquitoes blown great distances by the wind and
the transportation of infected pets to different geographic locations can all contribute to the spread of heartworm disease2. What are the signs of heartworm infection?Signs of heartworm disease can
be subtle and difficult to detect until its later stages. As the disease progresses, signs begin to appear. Contact your veterinarian
immediately if you notice coughing, difficulty breathing, sluggishness and less energy for exercise in your dog. Adult heartworms
cause serious harm to your dog's heart, lungs and certain internal organs. Left untreated, heartworm disease can result in
loss of consciousness and death. How are dogs tested for heartworm infection?The most common method for heartworm testing is for a veterinarian
to collect a small blood sample from a dog and evaluate the sample using a specialized test kit that identifies the heartworm
antigen. Or, your veterinarian may use other types of tests that detect the presence of microscopic microfilariae, an early
stage in the heartworm life cycle. Can heartworm disease be treated?Although it is possible to treat heartworm disease if a dog becomes infected, it is difficult, expensive
and risky, particularly in dogs that have begun to exhibit clinical signs of infection. Can my dog “get” heartworm
disease directly from an infected dog?No, the
way dogs become infected is via a bite from a mosquito that is carrying heartworm larvae. Are nursing puppies immune to heartworm disease if the mother is receiving Heartworm Prevention?No. Puppies that are nursing may become infected. HEARTGARD Plus
can be used in puppies as young as six weeks of age – and puppies benefit from the ability of HEARTGARD Plus to treat
and control roundworms and hookworms. Heartworm Preventatives
 Heartworms can infect your dog without you knowing
it. The best way to protect your dog is to prevent heartworm disease – the risk, expense, and emotional toll of treatment
are significant. HEARTGARD Plus
helps prevent canine heartworm disease, and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms, too. - HEARTGARD Plus is the veterinarian's #1 choice for heartworm
disease prevention in dogs1.
- HEARTGARD
Plus used monthly as directed can help prevent heartworm infection in your dog – and can help your dog avoid the risk,
stress, and long periods of confinement that go along with treatment for canine heartworm disease.
- HEARTGARD Plus is made with real beef – dogs love the
taste.
- HEARTGARD Plus is a convenient,
easy-to-give Chewable that most dogs will eat right out of your hand.
- HEARTGARD Plus is available in three dosage strengths for dogs of different weights. Your
veterinarian will select the dosage that's right for your dog.
- HEARTGARD Plus has a wide margin of safety for dogs of all breeds and sizes when used as
directed. It is approved for puppies as young as 6 weeks, pregnant or breeding female dogs, and stud dogs.
- HEARTGARD Plus is available only through a licensed veterinarian,
so make an appointment for your pet today. If you don't yet have a veterinarian, just use our Veterinarian Locator to find a veterinarian in your area.
- HEARTGARD Plus: Easy to Give. Protection to Live
INTERCEPTOR
What is Interceptor?
Interceptor Flavor Tabs are a palatable once-a-month tablet that prevents heartworm disease, controls
adult hookworms, and removes and controls adult roundworms and whipworm infections. Interceptor for cats is the only oral
monthly preventative that protects against heartworms and removes adult roundworms and adult hookworms. | Benefits: | | • | Given
once a month | | • | Easy to administer | | • | Broad spectrum activity |
How it works:
Interceptor Flavor Tabs eliminate the tissue stage
of heartworm larvae and the adult stage of hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infestations. The anthelmintic activity (destroying
parasitic worms) of the active ingredient milbemycin oxime is believed to be a result of interfering with the invertebrates
neurotransmission.
What is Sentinel? Sentinel
is the only monthly oral preventive that guards against heartworms, adult roundworms, adult hookworms and whipworms, and prevents
the development of flea eggs. For:
Dogs (4 weeks of age or older, and weighing more than 2 pounds) | Benefits: | | • | Comes in palatable flavored tabs | | • | Easy to administer just once a month |
How it works:
Milbemycin
oxime eliminates the tissue stage of heartworm larvae and the adult stage of hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infestations.
Lufenuron, the other active ingredient, is an insect development inhibitor that breaks the flea life cycle by inhibiting egg
development. Lufenuron prevents most flea eggs from hatching or maturing into adults and thus prevents and controls flea populations
by breaking the life cycle. |
IVERHEART MAX
The first and only product
that provides extensive protection guaranteed to protect your dog against heartworm and to treat and control multiple species
of common and potentially zoonotic roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. No other product provides monthly prevention for heartworm disease and the treatment and control
for roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Just one IVERHART MAX® Chewable Tablet monthly gives your dog the
most complete protection available. Easy
to give. Dogs love the chewable tablet and IVERHART MAX® is conveniently packaged in four weight ranges. Your
veterinarian will prescribe the correct dose according to your dog’s weight. IVERHART MAX® Chewable Tablets are available from your veterinarian
in packages of six and twelve doses for toy dogs between 6.0 and 12 pounds, small dogs weighing from 12.1 to 25 pounds, medium-weight
dogs between 25.1 to 50 pounds and large dogs weighing 50.1 – 100 pounds. For dogs weighing more than 100 pounds consult
your veterinarian. Make sure your
dog has the most complete protection with IVERHART MAX®...for life. The IVERHART MAX® Guarantee is available through your prescribing
veterinarian and, in the unlikely event that your dog test positive for heartworms, roundworms, hookworms or tapeworms, covers
the reasonable treatment cost when IVERHART MAX® is used according to label directions.
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