Heartgard Plus – Heartworm Preventive for Dogs

Just one bite from an infected mosquito is enough to cause the potentially fatal heartworm disease in dogs. The risk is genuine. With all 50 states reporting the cases, the need for effective protection against this deadly disease is more real than ever. So, regardless of where you live in the USA, a heartworm preventive for dogs is unavoidable.

Heartgard Plus is a vet-recommended protection against heartworm disease. Not just a treatment, Heartgard Plus comes in delicious real-beef chew form, making it the #1 dog-preferred chew. With over 30 years of proven protection, this preventive gives you the confidence to prevent heartworm disease. What’s more, Heartgard Plus Chew for Dogs also treats and controls 3 species of hookworms and 2 species of roundworms with every single dose, all year long.

Recommended For:

Puppies & dogs.
Heartgard Plus is recommended to give your puppies from 6 weeks of age.

Heartgard Plus Coverage:

Prevents heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis).
Treats & controls roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina).
Treats & controls hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense).

Directions

Administer Heartgard Plus orally at monthly intervals on or about the same day of the month. It can be offered to the dog by hand.
Give the dosage in a manner that encourages the dog to chew, rather than to swallow without chewing. This will prevent the risk of choking or intestinal obstruction.
For dogs that swallow treats whole, you may break the chews into pieces and administer them to the dogs. Alternatively, you may add the chew intact into a small quantity of dog food, ensuring the dog completes the dose at once. If you suspect that a part of the dose is lost, give a full dose.
This preventive should be given at monthly intervals, especially when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. Administer the initial dose within one month (30 days) after your dog’s first exposure to mosquitoes. Give the final dose within one month (30 days) after your dog’s last exposure to mosquitoes.
When switching to Heartgard Plus from another heartworm preventive, administer the first dose within one month (30 days) of the last dose of the previous treatment.
If you miss a dose or if treatment is delayed, immediately give a dose of Heartgard Plus and resume the dosing schedule.

Why Should You Buy Heartgard Plus?

Comes in delicious real-beef chews that dogs love.
Shown to be acceptable by the majority of dogs at first offering.
A palatable formula makes administration easy for you and enjoyable for dogs.
Gives you confidence to prevent heartworm disease.
Provides proven protection against heartworm disease and intestinal worms.
Effective against 2 species of roundworms and 3 species of hookworms.
Suitable for puppies as young as 6 weeks of age.

How Does Heartgard Plus Work?

Heartgard Plus chewables contain ivermectin and pyrantel as active ingredients. Ivermectin eliminates the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis). It prevents the development of the adult stage by allowing the immune system of dogs to recognize and inactivate these larvae before they develop into adult worms. Pyrantel targets intestinal worms and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.

Nuheart for Dogs

Nuheart – a generic heartgard is an effective heartworm treatment for dogs. Nuheart is a generic version of Heartgard with exactly the same ingredient as in Heartgard. Nuheart is a meat flavored monthly tablet that is easy to dose. It is safe to use for dogs and puppies over 6 weeks of age.

Read More: Difference Between Heartgard Plus VS Generic Nuheart

Heartgard Plus Dosing Guide:

Dog Size	Dog Weight	Pack Color	Ivermectin Strength (mcg)	Pyrantel Strength (mg)	Doses Administered
Small Dogs	Up to 25.0 lbs	Blue	68	57	One
Medium Dogs	26 – 50.0 lbs	Green	136	114	One
Large Dogs	51 – 100.0 lbs	Brown	272	227	One
For dogs over 100.0 lbs, administer the appropriate combination of Heartgard Plus Chews.

Safety

Heartgard Plus is not effective against adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). Test your dogs for existing heartworm infection before starting with heartworm preventive treatment. If your dog is infected, consult a vet to treat the disease and remove heartworms before starting a preventive program.

It is safe at the recommended dose level in pregnant, breeding and stud dogs. Clinical trials suggest that Heartgard Plus can be used with flea collars, shampoos, dips, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations.

For dogs that swallow treats whole, break the chews into pieces to prevent choking or intestinal obstruction. Keep it out of reach of children, uninformed people and pets.

Do not use Heartgard Plus in puppies under 6 weeks of age.

Storage Guide:

Store between 68°F – 77°F (20°- 25°C) with excursions permitted between 59°F – 86°F (15°- 30°C). Protect it from light.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Heartgard Plus?

Heartgard Plus is a highly palatable, real-beef monthly chew for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. It also treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.

How do dogs get heartworms?

Heartworms are transmitted through a bite from an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it picks up heartworm larvae (microfilariae), which develop into the infective stage inside the mosquito. This mosquito transmits the infective larvae to a healthy dog by taking a blood meal.

Is there a weight or age criterion for Heartgard Plus?

Heartgard Plus is suitable for puppies and dogs from 6 weeks of age. There is no minimum weight requirement for Heartgard Plus.

Does my dog need Heartgard Plus all year, even if it is cold outside?

The threat of heartworm disease does not vanish during cold weather. The risk may be reduced with the dropping temperature, it is never zero. Therefore, it is recommended to administer a heartworm preventive year-round for uninterrupted protection.

What should I keep in mind while using Heartgard Plus for dogs?

Consider your dog’s age, breed, drug sensitivity and existing health condition before using Heartgard Plus. Always test your dogs for existing heartworms. Only proceed with the preventive treatment if your dog has a negative heartworm test. Some dog breeds, such as Collies, may have a genetic mutation, making them more sensitive to this treatment. Talk to your vet about your dog’s sensitivity. Do not use this treatment if your dog is under 6 weeks of age.

Can I switch to Heartgard Plus from any other heartworm preventatives?

For optimal protection, consult your veterinarian to see whether your pet has ever had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the product, including beef.