Heartworm Awareness

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition affecting pets across the United States and many parts of the world. Caused by parasitic worms (Dirofilaria immitis) that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of affected animals, this disease leads to severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and can be deadly if not treated properly. The disease is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, making it a concern for pet owners regardless of the season, but especially during warmer months when mosquitoes are most active.

The Importance of Monthly Prevention

Heartworm disease is not only dangerous for your pet, but it’s also costly to treat. One of the most effective strategies to protect your pet from heartworm disease is through the use of monthly preventatives. These medications work by killing the immature stages of the heartworm larvae that your pet may have been exposed to in the preceding month, effectively stopping the larvae from developing into adults and causing infection.

Preventing heartworm disease is significantly easier, safer, and more cost-effective than treating the disease after it occurs. Treatment for heartworm disease can be risky for the pet, especially in advanced cases, and involves a lengthy, costly, and uncomfortable process for the infected animal. This is why veterinarians universally recommend year-round monthly prevention as the best approach to protect pets from this deadly disease.

Heartgard and Interceptor: Leading Heartworm Preventatives

Among the options for heartworm prevention, Heartgard and Interceptor are two of the most popular and trusted products on the market.

Heartgard is a beef-flavored chewable tablet that is administered monthly. It contains the active ingredient Ivermectin, which works by interfering with the nervous system of heartworm larvae, effectively killing them before they can mature into adult worms. Heartgard is approved for use in dogs and puppies, offering protection against heartworms, and it also helps control roundworms and hookworms, adding an extra layer of protection against these common parasites.

Interceptor, on the other hand, is a monthly chewable that contains Milbemycin Oxime as its active ingredient. Interceptor prevents heartworm disease by killing the immature form of the heartworm. It is also effective in controlling adult hookworms, and roundworms, and removing and controlling whipworms and tapeworms in dogs. This makes Interceptor a broad-spectrum parasiticide that is not only effective for heartworm prevention but also for controlling a variety of other intestinal parasites.

Conclusion

The monthly administration of heartworm preventatives like Heartgard and Interceptor is a critical component of your pet’s health regimen. These medications are highly effective, safe, and relatively affordable ways to protect your pet from the serious consequences of heartworm disease. Given the ease of prevention compared to the complexity and risk of treatment, there is no reason to leave your pet unprotected.

As with any medication, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian to choose the most appropriate heartworm preventative for your pet, based on their health history, lifestyle, and risk exposure. Regular use of these preventatives, combined with annual heartworm testing, ensures the best protection for your beloved pet against heartworm disease, allowing them to live a longer, healthier life.