Preventing Heartworms In Dogs

Heartworms in dogs are a terrible disease often called the invisible killer. However, preventing heartworms in dogs is now both easy and affordable. This is because there are a number of heartworm preventatives available, including some “generics” that are very economical. What’s more, some of these medications not only prevent heartworms; they also control and manage roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms and, in two cases, even ticks.

To prevent heartworms, roundworms and hookworms

There are several medications available that not only prevent heartworms but also control hookworms and roundworms.

The most popular of these medications are HeartGuard Plus and Tri-heart Plus. Both have as their active ingredient ivermectin and both are to be given to your dog once a month at regular intervals.  They also both come as chewable tablets. The cost of both HeartGuard Plus and Tri-heart Plus vary depending on the size of your dog. For example, you can buy HeartGuard Plus online for $21.48 for a 6-month supply for dogs weighing 1-25 lbs. and $24.21 for a 6-month supply for dogs weighing 26-50 lbs.

The manufacturer of Tri-Heart Plus (Schering-Plough Animal Health) says that the product offers the same protection against dog heartworm disease and other parasites as HeartGuard Plus but at a lower cost. As an example of this, you can buy online a six-month supply of Tri-Heart Plus for dogs weighing one to 25 lbs. for $22 and for $30 you can get a six-month supply for dogs of 26 to 50 lbs.

The generic equivalent to HeartGuard Plus is Iverhart Plus. It has the same ingredients at the same strength. Iverheart Plus is manufactured by Virbac and is considered to be the #1 generic heartworm preventative recommended by veterinarians. Because it is a generic, it is cheaper than HeartGuard – with one online retailer selling a six-month supply for dogs weighing one to 25 lbs for just $14.99, and $22.99 for dogs weighing 26 to 50 lbs.

Add whipworm protection

There are two heartworm preventative medications that have the active ingredient milbemycin oxime. This drug prevents heartworms and help control roundworm, whipworm and many hookworm infections as well.

These two medications are Interceptor Heartworm Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Flavor Tabs.

Both Interceptor Heartworm Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Flavor Tabs have been proved for preventing heartworm in dogs. They both can be given directly into your dog’s mouth or put it into its food. One Interceptor tab should be given to the dog once a month at regular intervals. The same is true for Sentinel Flavor Tabs. The difference between the two is that Sentinel Flavor Tabs can also guard against fleas and Interceptor Tabs cannot.

Sentinel can be purchased online and typically costs from $55.99 - $154.98, depending on the size of your dog. Interceptor Flavor Tabs usually retail online for about $19 for a 6-month supply for dogs 11 to 25 lbs. and $18.50 for dogs that are two to 10 lbs.

Tapeworm protection

Another medication, Inverheart Max, is similar in taste and dosage to Iverheart Plus. However, Iverheart Max not only prevents heartworms, it also treats and controls roundworms and hookworms … and protects against tapeworms. Iverheart Max generally costs about $15 online for dogs weighing six to 12 lbs. and $16 for dogs weighing 12 to 25 lbs.

Heartworm and flea protection

Advantage Multi is a once-a-month topical application that combines an insecticide (imidacloprid) and a parasiticide (moxidectin). It can protect against heartworm and will treat and control flea infestations, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. Advantage Multi usually sells online for around $80 for a six-month’s supply for dogs weighing three to nine pounds; $85 for dogs of nine to 20 lbs.; and $90 for dogs of 20 to 55 lbs.

Heartworms, fleas and ear mites

Another heartworm preventative, Revolution, is a topical medication that you apply to the dog’s skin once each month. It will protect your dog from heartworms, fleas, and ear mites. It also protects dogs from ticks and sarcoptic mange.

Revolution comes as a three-month treatment. It typically costs around $41 online for dogs weighing one to five pounds, $46 for dogs of five to 10 lbs. and $47 for those weighing 10 to 20 lbs.

Preventing heartworms in dogs

As you can see there are many ways for preventing heartworms in dogs. So, if you live in an area where the weather is warm and there are lakes and rivers, you should talk with your vet about these preventative medications and which one would be best for your dog. And summer is coming up for those parts of the country that isn’t warm year-round, so you should be talking with your vet as well.