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Heartgard Plus Heartworm Prevention for Dogs and Cats
HEARTGARD Plus is the #1 choice of veterinarians for heartworm
disease prevention!
HEARTGARD Plus is highly effective in preventing heartworm disease. All you have
to do to protect your dog from the threat of this potentially deadly infection
is give HEARTGARD Plus once a month. HEARTGARD Plus provides the most control
against roundworms and hookworms available in a Real Beef chewable heartworm
preventative, that dogs love.
HEARTGARD Plus has a wide margin of safety for all sizes and breeds of dogs. It
is approved for use in puppies as young as 6 weeks, small dogs regardless of
weight, pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs, and Collies.
HEARTGARD Plus is available for three weight ranges; 0–25lbs, 26–50lbs, and
51–100lbs. For dogs over 100lbs, mix and match to reach the appropriate weight
range. HEARTGARD Plus comes in 6-dose dispensing packs or our newer, more
convenient 12-dose dispensing pack. The 12-dose packaging provides the
convenience of having a full year's supply of HEARTGARD Plus on hand.
Dogs 6-months of age and older should be tested for heartworm disease prior to
being put on a preventive program and tested annually thereafter.
Why does my dog need HEARTGARD
Plus?
Protection against heartworms, and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms
Heartworms are transmitted to dogs and puppies by mosquitoes. Without the
protection of a heartworm preventive, your pet could get heartworm disease – a
potentially deadly illness. Once a dog is infected with heartworms, treatment
can be difficult and expensive.
In addition to heartworms, your puppy or dog is also at risk for hookworms and
roundworms; intestinal parasites that can cause dangerous diseases in pets and
people. That's why it is important to provide your dog or puppy with a monthly
deworming. When used as directed, HEARTGARD Plus is highly effective in
preventing heartworm disease in dogs and puppies as young as 6 weeks old.
HEARTGARD Plus also treats and controls hookworms and roundworms – making it the
only Real-Beef Chewable that prevents heartworm disease and provides broad
protection against other parasites that can threaten your pet, as well.
What are
heartworms and how do dogs
get them?
Whether your pet spends lots of time in
the great outdoors or rarely ventures out of your own back yard, it's still at
risk for exposure to deadly heartworm disease. Heartworms are a
nationally-recognized threat to both adult dogs and puppies; fortunately,
HEARTGARD Plus is highly effective in preventing heartworm disease.
Heartworms are parasites that live in the hearts and lungs of infected dogs and
puppies. The resulting heartworm disease can cause serious health problems and
can eventually lead to heart failure and death.
Heartworm disease has been found in all 50 states in the United States. One
reason for the prevalence of these worms in puppies and dogs is that we live in
a mobile society – people and their pets travel from place to place, unknowingly
taking parasites along for the ride. Thankfully, there's HEARTGARD Plus. When
used as directed, HEARTGARD Plus is highly effective in preventing heartworms.
The transmission cycle of the heartworm begins when a mosquito bites an infected
dog and feeds on blood that contains tiny immature heartworms. As it feeds, the
mosquito takes in the immature heartworms. During the next two to three weeks,
these tiny worms develop into larvae (the infective stage of heartworms) within
the mosquito. If the infected mosquito bites another dog or puppy, it can
transmit infective larvae to that healthy animal.
But, if the dog or puppy is protected with HEARTGARD Plus, the lifecycle
ends here. HEARTGARD Plus protects against heartworms in puppies and dogs.
Without the use of a heartworm preventive, the heartworm lifecycle will
continue. Infective larvae enter the dog's body through the mosquito bite, and
they continue to develop over the next few months. They migrate through the
dog's tissues, eventually reaching the heart and lungs. Once in the dog's heart,
the worms may grow to between 7 and 11 inches in length and can cause
significant damage to the heart and lungs. If left untreated, heartworm disease
may result in death. The life cycle of the heartworm is approximately 6 months.
What Are
Roundworms and
Hookworms and How Do Dogs Get Them?
In addition to heartworms, dogs and puppies are also at risk for dangerous
intestinal worms. Roundworms and hookworms are common intestinal parasites that
cause serious health hazards.
Roundworms
Roundworms are parasites that live in the
intestines of infected dogs, and may cause obstructions depriving dogs of
essential nutrients. Infections may be dangerous or even fatal. Signs of
roundworm infection may include diarrhea, eggs and adult worms in feces,
respiratory distress, weakness, dull and scruffy coat, swollen abdomen, and
malnutrition. However, it is important to note that most dogs show no signs of
infection.
Roundworms may be transmitted to puppies even before birth, or an infected
mother can pass roundworms to her puppies after birth through her milk.
Roundworms also may be transmitted when a dog or puppy consumes roundworm eggs
in its environment.
Hookworms
Hookworms, like roundworms, are parasites that
live in the intestines of infected dogs. They feed on the intestinal wall,
causing significant blood loss. Though not as common as roundworms, hookworms
are potentially more dangerous, especially in puppies. Severe hookworm infection
can lead to anemia, debilitation, and even death. Signs of hookworm infection
may include weakness, weight loss, diarrhea and pale gums. As with roundworm
infection, most dogs infected with hookworms will show no sign of infection.
Hookworms may be transmitted to puppies while
still in the womb, or to nursing puppies through infected milk. Hookworms also
may be transmitted to puppies and older dogs through materials in the
environment that may be contaminated with larvae.
Medi-Vet Animal Health, LLC.
71345 Ellis Road, Covington, LA 70433
Telephone: (800) 668-9698 Local Phone: (985) 875-7533
Fax: (800) 854-9647 Local Fax: (985) 875-7530
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