PetFoodia.com - Pet Food Coupons and Reviews

Pet Food Coupons and Pet Food Reviews

  • Dog Food Reviews
  • Dog Food Coupons
  • Cat Food Reviews
  • Cat Food Coupons
  • Pet Talk
  • Pet Vet
  • Pet Health
You are here: PetFoodia.com » Pet Vet » Heartworm Preventative for Dogs

Heartworm Preventative for Dogs

October 11, 2011 by PetFoodia

Dogs can be contracted with heartworms by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Heartworms are a very serious condition and once infected with the parasite, your dog may show serious complications such as heart inflammation and damage to their system in as little as 12 months. As horrible as heartworms can be, there are some great preventive drugs out there that will help protect your dog from contracting and possibly dying from this horrible parasite. Finding the right heartworm preventative for dogs in the early stages can mean the difference between life and death.

It’s much easier, safer and cheaper to treat your dog before contracting heartworm or in the earlier stages, then when it is already spread throughout their system. It’s always important to consult with a veterinarian first, but there are two different type of heartworm solutions available for dogs. Based on the age, weight and overall health of your dog, the method and proper dosages for your dog will vary.

The two different types of heartworm preventatives are, oral and topical. Let’s break down each of these now.

Oral Medications

The easiest form of medication for heartworm, is through an oral medication, which is the same as taking pills. Two active ingredients that are commonly found in todays heartworm medication are milbemycin and ivermectin. Both of these ingredients have a long history of working well in both cats and dogs, and usually have no side effects. While most dogs will be able to take these drugs with no problems at all, some may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or incoordination. Depending on the dog breed, oral medication and it’s ingredients may not be the best option for your dog, so it’s important to consult with a veterinarian before administering treatment.

Topical Medications

The alternative to an oral medication, is a topical medication, which can be used as a “spot-on” medication. Some of the newer brands of medicine will not only target heartworms, but also prevent fleas and ticks in the process. Topical medications can be used on average once per month, but it’s important to read the directions for each different brand out there. The two active ingredients in topical mediations are selamectin and moxidectin. The medicine, when used in topical form, is absorbed through the animals skin, which slowly dispenses over time throughout the dog. It’s also important to keep all topical medications away from your animals eyes, or areas where they might continually lick or get it in their mouths. Once the topical medication is placed, be sure to keep your dog away from children and indoors for the first 30 to 45 mins after treatment.

Heartworm Preventative for Dogs

Three of the most popular brand names for heartworm prevenatives are, Heartgard, Interceptor and Revolution. The majority of these brands offer their medication in a flavored oral form, so you can simply feed them to your dog for treatment. Most of these brands and medication can be purchased at your local pet specialty store, or at many of the reliable online pet stores. Depending on where you purchase from, you may find discounted prices and maybe even some coupons.

For more information on heartworm in dogs, please view our follow up articles below:

  • Heartworm Symptoms In Dogs

Filed Under: Pet Vet

About PetFoodia

Hi, I'm Foxy! As the official spokesperson for PetFoodia.com, I wanted to welcome you to our wonderful pet web site. We created this web site to help share information to pet owners, while also providing useful resources and reviews on every day products that we are giving to our pets.

Search

Popular Articles

5 FQAs About Tick and Flea Dog Collar

5 FQAs About Tick and Flea Dog Collar

Spring break is here and summer is fast … [Read More...]

Oral Health Tips for Dogs and Cats

Oral Health Tips for Dogs and Cats

When taking care of your pet's health, one of the … [Read More...]

Knowing the Difference Between Grain vs. Grain Free Pet Food Diets

Knowing the Difference Between Grain vs. Grain Free Pet Food Diets

When choosing a pet food for your precious … [Read More...]

What to Know When Changing Your Dogs Pet Food

What to Know When Changing Your Dogs Pet Food

Changing your pet's food isn't something that … [Read More...]

Is Expensive Pet Food Better? – Ask a Vet

Is Expensive Pet Food Better? – Ask a Vet

When walking down the aisles of your favorite pet … [Read More...]

Site Navigation

  • Dog Questions
  • Cat Questions
  • Pet Vet
  • Pet Health
  • Pet Food
  • Pet Talk
  • Pet Training
  • Pet Products
  • About PetFoodia
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Disclaimer

Search PetFoodia

Recent Posts

  • 5 FQAs About Tick and Flea Dog Collar
  • Oral Health Tips for Dogs and Cats
  • Knowing the Difference Between Grain vs. Grain Free Pet Food Diets
  • What to Know When Changing Your Dogs Pet Food
  • Is Expensive Pet Food Better? – Ask a Vet
  • Summer Time Pet Hazards Pet Owners Need to Be Aware Of
  • How to Correctly Read a Dog Food Label
  • Pet Travel 101: What You Need to Know When Traveling with a Pet
  • Quick Tips to Keeping Your Pets Cool When It’s Hot Out
  • How Much Does It Cost to Own a Dog?
  • 6 Kinds of Allergies that Can Affect Your Canine
  • 7 of the Best Super Foods to Add to Your Dog’s Diet
  • 10 of the Most Toxic Foods to Keep Away from Your Pet
  • If Your Pet Could Talk, What Would it Say?
  • PrettyLitter Cat Litter Review and 10% Coupon Code

Pet Article Categories

  • Cat Food Coupons
  • Cat Food Reviews
  • Dog Beds
  • Dog Food Coupons
  • Dog Food Reviews
  • Dog Treats
  • Featured
  • Pet Food
  • Pet Food Brands
  • Pet Food Samples
  • Pet Health
  • Pet Products
  • Pet Shampoos
  • Pet Talk
  • Pet Training
  • Pet Vet
  • Uncategorized

Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in