Is heartgard plus safe?

Ah, pets! Our furry little friends that melt our hearts (and sometimes give us headaches). With owning a pet comes the responsibility of keeping them healthy and safe from harm. And part of that responsibility is ensuring they are protected from pesky parasites that can cause major health problems. One such parasite is heartworms, which can be deadly if left untreated. So what’s a responsible pet owner to do? Enter Heartgard Plus – but is it safe? Let’s take a closer look!

What Exactly Is Heartgard Plus?

Heartgard Plus is an oral medication for dogs intended to prevent heartworm disease caused by mosquito bites. This medicine works by killing any larval stages of heartworm in your dog’s bloodstream before they can cause damage.

How Does It Work?

Heartworms have different life cycles – adult female worms produce microfilariae (baby worms) which circulate through the host animal’s blood vessels waiting to be picked up by mosquitoes as these insects feed. Once inside the mosquito, these microfilariae mature into infective larvae within 10-30 days and migrate to its mouthparts where they wait for another unsuspecting victim to be bitten — hence spreading the cycle again!

When dogs are regularly given their dose of Heartgard Plus, it kills off any infected larvae during this vulnerable stage preventing further development into advanced stages or adulthood.

Active Ingredients

So what’s actually in this wonder drug? Each chewable tablet contains two active ingredients: Ivermectin and Pyrantel Pamoate.

Ivermectin is known for its broad-spectrum anti-parasitic activity against both external and internal parasites in animals while Pyrantel Pamoate has been well-documented as effective against several species like hookworms, roundworms among others.

Together they tackle not only heartworm but also roundworms and hookworms providing a triple layer of protection.

Is It Safe For My Dog?

Now, this is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? You definitely don’t want to be accidentally poisoning your beloved fur baby!

Side-Effects

Like with all medications there can be some side effects. These usually are mild and include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy

In rare cases when administered in high doses, severe toxicosis or death have been reported but remember this generally only occurs if you give them too high or overdose on medication that was prescribed incorrectly by vets who weren’t paying attention (gasp!)

Generally speaking though, Heartgard Plus is considered safe for most dogs at approved dosages so you can rest easy knowing that 99 times out of 100 there won’t be any adverse reactions.

Canine Ivermectin Sensitivity

However, something beware – some breeds like Collies, Australian Shepherds among others are more sensitive to ivermectin than others due to a genetic mutation. This sensitivity has been linked with neurological problems such as lethargy and disorientation up to seizures in extreme cases. If your dog belongs to one of these breeds exercise caution — ask your veterinarian whether Heartgard or its equivalent would be an option instead.

Compatibility With Other Medications

Heartgard Plus’s ingredients get metabolized through the liver thus interacting adversely with certain substances. If you’re already giving your pet another medication consult first before adding our trusted heartworm protector into the mixing bowl because harmful drug interactions could take place leading from muscle tremors up towards other complications! Monitor closely how they behave especially if it’s their first time using any sort of medication OR new supplements within weeks – never hurts just being cautious around here folks…

How To Administer It Correctly

Now that we know Heartgard Plus is a safe pawsome medicine we need to learn how to use it the right way. So what do you do with this tiny tablet?

Dosage Instructions

Dosages are determined by your dog’s weight so make sure you weigh them beforehand thus giving them just enough of their chewable medication.

Never give heartworm preventive medication intended for dogs to other animals like cats, ferrets, or Guinea pigs – it could be fatal!

Moreover; follow manufacturer’s directions precisely never take things into your own hands (or paws). There are specific instructions depending on the size and weight of your furry friend. Be mindful when dosing from smaller puppies/mamas who recently gave birth since heartworm prevention can come in varying strength levels ranging within 6 months up towards 12-month doses.

Giving It To Your Dog

Giving a yummier form of oral medicine than standard pills?! Here ye go!

Heartgard Plus comes in delicious flavors which makes administration hassle-free – there won’t be any claw marks left behind due to distress during administering time…
Plus most pets get excited over treats anyways — they’ll think it’s just another bonus allowing you comfort knowing they’re treating AND protecting themselves at once! So let ’em savor every last morsel triple squirrels

Conclusion

When used correctly, Heartgard Plus is an essential preventative measure that ensures our dogs don’t fall victim to the dangers of mosquito-transmitted diseases like life-threatening heartworms while also keeping pesky parasites at bay such as hook and roundworms. The benefits definitely outweigh the extremely rare potential side effects. If anything were actually wrong whenever I first began researching these tabs my pup’d have turned out into something oddly different HAHA but instead she prances around me wagging her tail all day long just waiting for those tasty chews each month double squirrels.

Always ensure that Heartgard Plus is the right fit for your pet’s health history and lifestyle! You should always consult with a veterinarian if there are any doubts regarding usage. Safeguarding our pets from all manner of harm is an essential part of being their parent, so go ahead and keep up the great work on working to preserve their bright spirits triple boops.

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