Heartgard Plus Basics
- Heartgard Plus is available by prescription only.
- Heartgard Plus is used to kill or prevent parasitic diseases.
- microfilaria, or the microscopic offspring of heartworms
- The active ingredients in Heartgard Plus are...
- Together, ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate control a wide spectrum of parasites by causing neurological damage to the parasites.
- Heartgard Plus comes in beef-flavored chewable tablets.
- Heartgard Plus is available in various sizes according to your dog's weight:
- 0 to 25 pounds (Blue box)
- 26 to 50 pounds (Green box)
- 51 to 100 pounds (Brown box)
Heartgard Plus Warnings
- Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
- Do not administer to dogs with known allergies to Heartgard Plus or any of its ingredients.
- Use caution when administering Heartgard Plus to collies or collie mixed breeds due to potential toxic effects.
- Periodic tests for heartworms should be done before giving your dog Heartgard Plus.
- Avoid giving Heartgard to dogs that are less than 6 weeks of age.
- Heartgard is not effective against tapeworms.
- Store at room temperature.
- Store Heartgard protected from exposure to light, moisture, or temperature extremes.
Heartgard Plus Directions
- Give as directed by your veterinarian.
- Follow the instructions printed on the prescription label.
- Store Heartgard Plus at room temperature.
- Heartgard Plus should given by mouth every 30 days.
- Do not administer Heartgard Plus to puppies less than 6 weeks old.
- Dosage is based on your pet's weight.
- Use a combination of 2 tablets for dogs over 100 pounds.
Dosage for Dogs
Dogs and puppies weighing up to 25 pounds:
Box color: BLUE
- Give one 68 mcg tablet by mouth once each month.
Dogs and puppies weighing 26 to 50 pounds:
Box color: GREEN
- Give one 136 mcg tablet by mouth once each month.
Dogs and puppies weighing 51 to 100 pounds:
Box color: BROWN
- Give one 272 mcg tablet by mouth once each month.
Dogs weighing over 100 pounds:
- Give a combination of 2 chewable tablets by mouth once monthly according to your dog's weight.
Dosage FAQs
- In the case of a missed dose of Heartgard Plus, give it as soon as you remember or wait until it is time to give the next dose. DO NOT GIVE A DOUBLE DOSE OF HEARTGARD PLUS.
- Overdose cases are rare, but symptoms of an overdose may include...
- Call your veterinarian immediately if you think an overdose has occurred.
We use Heartgard Plus as our primary defense against the spread of canine heartworm disease in our area. The product is very palatable and seems to be tolerated by virtually all sizes and breeds of dogs. Occasionally we will find a pet that does not tolerate Heartgard Plus well, in which case we will switch to an alternative method of heartworm preventative.
We also are in a socioeconomic area where not all clients can afford the several hundred dollars needed for treatment with an adulticide. We therefore on occasion have to treat a heartworm positive dog with a microfilariacide like Heartgard Plus without treating the adult worms. Although this isn't what we prefer to do, we have had to follow that course of action and have done so with repeated success. Heartgard Plus has been a really good product in our practice.
If you notice any behavioral or physiological changes in your pet during Heartgard Plus treatment, contact your veterinarian immediately.
