Along with monthly Interceptor, Heartgard Plus is among the most commonly prescribed monthly heartworm preventatives by veterinarians. While both are very effective against protecting against heartworms, Heartgard seems slightly more effective in treating and preventing roundworms and hookworms, while Interceptor offers the protection against whipworms, which occur more sporadically across the United States.
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Puppies and/or kittens can be safely started on Heartgard typically at age 8-12 weeks, especially important during a time when roundworms and hookworm infestations are common. Heartgard Plus does seem to have a long shelf life of 1-2 years. It comes in very convenient dosing package sizes of up to 25 pound dogs, 26 to 50 pound packaging/dosing, and 51-100 pound packaging and dosing. It is quite safe to use the up to 25 pound size even in small breeds, as owners often wonder if splitting the pill is needed in toy breeds, which is not necessary. |
Side effects are indeed rare, but on occasion pets can have rare digestive, dermatologic, and even more rare neurological side effects. If any of these should occur, I would ask your veterinarian for a prescription for monthly interceptor as an alternative. It is safe to be on Heartgard Plus if another dewormer is needed in a dog, such as Panacur C.
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2 Comments
I would certainly agree, heartgard is one of the better products on the market. However, you have to watch out, if your pup has a beef allergy. They no longer make the unflavored kind, so you may have to go with a different brand, if that’s the case.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
March 13th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Yes. Hopefully in future and wiht enough consumer pressure the nonchewable heartguard product will return.
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So Dr. Dym, can you please confirm what I understand your advice above to be : that it is indeed safe to use another broad spectrum de-wormer like D-Worm Combo (pyrantel parnoate/praziquentel) while on monthly Heartgard therapy? From what I understand, Heartgard will not kill every kind of common parasitic worm dogs can catch, correct?
Many thanks for your advice, and love your blog.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Hi Cynthia. Thanks for your kind comments regarding the blog. Heartguard does not kill every kind of parasite, however heartguard plus does contain pyrantel , so using D-worm combo would be somewhat redundant. If tapes a problem, using a wormer with only praziquantel or droncit name brand would be sufficient. In fact panacure for 3 days would be better choice for whips and Giardia if they were a problem in the dog.
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Cynthia RIvenbark Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 7:11 am
Is there an optimum time (or time I should NOTadminister) an adjunct wormer, or does it not matter? I administer Heartgard around the 15th of each month. Should I use an adjunct dewormer as a preventative measure (say, once a quarter) or only when the dogs present symptoms – like scooting on the ground and excessive licking? Thanks so much.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I would just stick with heartguard which does control, treat and prevent hookworms and roundworms. No need to routinely use or overuse other wormers unless you see tapeworms in stool or around anus, or if there is history of whipworms.