Heartguard Plus is a brand of monthly dog heartworm medication, with the active ingredients Ivermectin, an anti-parasite medication, and Pyrantel, an anti-worm medication. It is available as beef flavored tablets or chewables for dogs.

Ivermectin is an anthelminthic (dewormer) that prevents heartworm disease in dogs in combination with Pyrantel, it also protects against hookworm and roundworm in dogs.

Standard recommendations for Ivermectin/Pyrantel doses are 68mcg/57mg (Blue box) for dogs weighing up to 25 lbs, 136mcg/114mg (Green box) for dogs weighing 26-50 lbs, and 272mcg/227mg (Brown box) for dogs weighing 51-100 lbs.

Heavier dogs can use combinations of these doses. Dogs need to chew the chewables, and not swallow them. If a dog tends to swallow, then break the chewables into little pieces. The doses are monthly, all year round.

Application and Use of Heartguard Plus:

Heartguard plus is approved for use with dogs as young as six weeks. However, it is a prescription drug, and the dog needs to undergo testing for heartworm infection before starting Heartguard Plus. This is because Heartguard Plus can be harmful to an uninfected dog. However, it is safe and the American Heartworm Society recommends it for year-round use.

If the dog is off medication for less than six months, start the medication and test only after six months because microfilaria, which takes six months to mature, will test positive. It is important for the owner to take good care of personal hygiene, because humans can contract hookworm from the dog.

In addition, eliminate fleas on the pet and in the house. Do not feed the pet with rodents or uncooked meat or fish. To prevent re-infection, clean up the stools daily. Most importantly, do not use Heartguard Plus with any other heartworm medicines, especially Piperazine, as it reduces the efficiency of Pyrantel.

How Heartguard Plus Works?

Heartguard Plus has certain good deworming ingredients and specifically Pyrantel Pamoate - a combination of pyrantel and pamoic acid.

Ivermectin is a member of the Avermectin family of compounds that originate from the bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis, which kills parasites by interfering with their nervous system and muscle function, causing paralysis and death of these dreadful parasites.

Pyrantel pamoate is an effective deworming agent, since it paralyses the worms living in the dog's intestine, and causes them to fall off. They pass out in the dog's stool.

Side Effects:

Use Heartguard Plus with caution, when treating Collies. There are no noticeable side effects within the standard doses, but overdosing may cause tremors, dilated pupils, unhealthy weight loss and even death.

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