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).

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

• 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.

Heartgard Plus Dosing Guide:

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.

Heartgard Plus Ingredients:

Ivermectin, Pyrantel

Nuheart Ingredient:

Ivermectin

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.

What happens if I miss giving a dose of Heartgard Plus heartworm treatment?

If you miss a dose, give a dose as soon as you remember and continue with the monthly schedule.

What happens if I overdose my dog on Heartgard Plus Chewables by mistake?

In case of overdosing, rush to a vet immediately.

In what sizes and options are Heartgard Plus Chewables for dogs available?

• Heartgard Plus Blue for Small Dogs up to 25 lbs
• Heartgard Plus Green for Medium Dogs 26–50 lbs
• Heartgard Plus Brown for Large Dogs 51–100 lbs

Credelio for Dogs – Flea & Tick Treatment

Credelio for Dogs is a fast-acting oral chewable treatment for your canine's protection against fleas and ticks. This monthly oral formula starts killing fleas and ticks within just four hours and continues to kill these parasites for the entire month. A single chew protects your dog from five different species of ticks. Due to its ability to kill black-legged vector ticks, Credelio Tick treatment for dogs is recommended for the prevention of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) infections.

Credelio is composed with an extra purification step during formulation, leaving only the active portion of the composition in the final treatment. Formulated as a tasty chewable tablet with pork liver and soy flavoring, Credelio makes administration easy and enjoyable for your dog. It is suitable for young puppies and adult dogs. Credelio for fleas comes in five different dosage strengths, catering to dogs of all sizes.

Recommended For:

• Puppies & dogs.
• Credelio for Dogs is suitable for puppies and dogs from 8 weeks of age, weighing 4.4 lbs or greater.

Credelio for Dogs Coverage:

• Kills adult fleas.
• Treats & prevents flea infestations.
• Treats & controls tick infestations (lone star tick, American dog tick, black-legged tick, brown dog tick & longhorned tick).
• Indicated for the prevention of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) infections as a direct result of killing black-legged vector ticks.
• Improves signs of flea allergy dermatitis as a direct result of eliminating fleas.

Why Should You Buy Credelio for Your Dog?

• Provides month-long coverage against fleas & ticks.
• Kills fleas before they can lay eggs.
• Works fast. Begins killing fleas in four hours and continues to kill them for the entire month.
• One dose protects against five different tick species, including black-legged ticks that transmit Lyme disease.
• Chews are made with a beef flavoring containing pork liver and soy that most dogs enjoy, making it easy for dosing.
• An extra purification step during formulation helps ensure a purified and effective final product.
• You can give them to your puppies as young as 8 weeks.
• It comes in five different dosage strengths for dogs of various sizes.

How Does Credelio Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs Work?

Credelio for Dogs contains lotilaner. After administration, the active ingredient, lotilaner, is absorbed into the dog's bloodstream. When fleas and/or ticks bite a Credelio-treated dog, they ingest lotilaner. This extra-purified formula inhibits the nerve receptors of fleas and ticks, causing uncontrolled activity in their nervous system, leading to death.

According to controlled lab studies referred to in the product label, Credelio began killing fleas four hours after administration or infestation, killing almost all fleas within eight hours. It showed complete efficacy against adult fleas within 12 hours. It also displayed more than 90% efficacy against various tick species 48 hours post-administration or infestation.

• Credelio should be given orally, once every month.
• For full efficacy, you must always administer Credelio with food or within 30 minutes of a meal.
• You can begin treating your dog with Credelio at any time of the year.
• If you miss a dose, administer one dose immediately with food and continue with a monthly dosing schedule.

Credelio for Dogs Dosing Guide:

For dogs over 100.0 lbs, administer the appropriate combination of Credelio chews.

Credelio is not for use in humans. You should keep these chews out of the reach of children, uninformed people and pets. In case of accidental ingestion, immediately consult a physician. The safe use of Credelio has not been evaluated in pregnant, breeding or lactating dogs. You should use these chews with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Do not administer Credelio to puppies under 8 weeks of age or less than 4.4 lbs of body weight.

As per a controlled field study referenced in the label, Credelio was used with other veterinary treatments, such as anthelmintics, vaccines, steroids, antibiotics, anesthetics, antihistamines and NSAIDs without any adverse reactions. You should take out the chew from the blister pack only at the time of dosing.

Storage Guide:

• Store at 15-25°C (59-77°F), with excursions permitted between 5 to 40°C (41 to 104°F).

Lotilaner

What is Credelio?

Credelio is a tasty, palatable, flavored chewable flea and tick treatment for dogs. It is suitable for use in puppies and dogs from 8 weeks of age and at least 4.4 lbs of body weight.

Can I store Credelio chews in a container?

It is not recommended to take the chews out of the blister pack for storage in another container. The chews should be taken out of the blister pack only at the time of dosing.

My dog has food allergies; can I give Credelio to this dog?

Credelio chews feature beef flavoring containing pork liver and soy. They contain no actual beef, but contain barley, wheat and lactose. You should talk to your vet before using it in dogs with food allergies.

Is Credelio chew gluten-free?

Yes. Credelio chews are considered free from gluten.

I still see fleas on my dog after treating with Credelio; is it not working?

Credelio is known to kill fleas quickly when administered as per the label. For optimum flea control, you should treat all the animals in the household. Also, your dog can continue to be exposed to new fleas that live in the environment. Once these fleas jump on the dog, Credelio will likely kill them.

Is it necessary to give Credelio with food?

Yes. You must administer Credelio with food or within 30 minutes of feeding your dog. This ensures your dog achieves peak blood levels and exposure, which is necessary for initial and ongoing efficacy.

I missed a dose of Credelio. What should I do?

If you miss a dose, immediately give one dose with food and continue with a monthly dosing schedule.

How fast does Credelio work?

According to controlled lab studies referenced in the label, Credelio (lotilaner) began killing fleas four hours and went on to kill almost all fleas within eight hours after administration or infestation. It demonstrated complete flea efficacy 12 hours after administration or infestation as per another lab study. The formula achieved more than 90% efficacy against different tick species 48 hours post-administration or infestation, as per other studies referenced in the label.

Does my dog have to take a tick/flea bite to be killed by Credelio?

Yes. Credelio works systemically. This means that the parasites (fleas & ticks) must be exposed to the active ingredient, lotilaner, to die.

Can I split Credelio?

There are no indications from the manufacturer about splitting Credelio, as they are not scored for splitting. However, a variety of dosage strengths are available to cater to dogs of all sizes.