Purchasing a heartworm preclusive is one of the best things you can do for your cat’s
wellbeing. However…if you’re like most pet owners, you probably have some inquiries.
Below are some answers to help you narrow down your research.
Q: What does Heartgard do?
A: Heartgard is a product made for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs and cats.
Q: How does it work?
A: Invermectin is the chief component. It interferes with the parasite’s nerveous
system, and then paralyses and kills the immature heartworms (larvae).
Q: How frequently should I feed this medicine to my cat or dog?
A: Once every 30 days.
Note: you should try to give your pet her Heartgard medicine on the same day, every month. The stickers, included in the package, will help remind you.
Q: What if I miss a dose?
A: If the amount of time between doses is more than thirty days, The prodct’s effectiveness
could be reduced.
(Remember, Invermectin kills budding heartworms. And missing doses may
allow the heartworms to mature to a point where the medication is less effective.)
For that reason, experts advise testing your dog or cat for heartworms
six and a helf months after the forgotten dosage.
Q: What about fussy breeds like Collies, is this dewormer safe for them?
A: Collies and other related breeds have shown sensitivity to Invermectin. But, the amount of Invermectin in Heartgard is
minimal. And the manufacturer, Murial, states that the medicine should be okay if used as
directed.
Q: When should I begin giving my pet Heartgard?
A: Heartgard kills larvae your dog or cat was exposed to within the last 30 days. That said, if
you are going to give your pet a seasonal deterant, feed it to her
one month after the first mosquito appears.
Q: What about puppies?
A: You can start your puppy on the preventative when he’s a minimum 6 weeks old.
Q: What if I want to protect my pet against other parasites like intestinal worms?
A: Consider looking into Heartgard Plus. In addition to Invermectin, it contains Pyrantel, which destroys roundworms and hookworms in addition to heartworms.
Q: cat or dog need to be examined before giving him Heartgard?
A: Yes. Administering a heartworm preventative to a pet that already has heartworms
could cause a severe reaction that might be harmful or even fatal to your cat or dog.
For this reason you will also need to have a veterinarian’s prescription to buy procure 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.