Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital - Heartworm Information

Heartworm Information 2017

(For general information about heartworms in dogs and cats, click on "heartworm" above)

Heartworm Preventive Comparison Chart

Medications used to prevent heartworm infections are called preventives. Preventives kill the heartworm larvae before they have a chance to grow and mature into adult heartworms. A number of heartworm preventives are available to pet owners today. Some heartworm preventives contain additional ingredients that will control other parasites, such as roundworms or hookworms. A monthly preventive should be given to all pets. Remember that mosquitoes, the transmitter for heartworms, can get indoors and therefore your pet is still susceptible even though he or she may not go outside.

Product	Minimum Age/Weight	Dose Given	Active Ingredient Against Heartworm	Additional Ingredients	Also Effective Against
Heartgard® Plus for Dogs	6 wks	Monthly; oral	Ivermectin	Pyrantel pamoate	Roundworms and hookworms
Heartgard® for Cats	6 wks	Monthly; oral	Ivermectin	None	Hookworms
Tri-Heart® Plus for Dogs	6 wks	Monthly; oral	Ivermectin	Pyrantel pamoate	Roundworms and hookworms
Iverhart Max® for Dogs	8 wks	Monthly; oral	Ivermectin	Pyrantel pamote, Praziquantel	Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
Sentinel® for Dogs	4 wks and 2 lbs	Monthly; oral	Milbemycin oxime	Lufenuron	Roundworms, whipworms, some hookworms, and flea eggs.
Revolution® for Dogs	6 wks	Monthly; topical	Selamectin	None	Fleas, flea eggs, ear mites, sarcoptes mange, and American Dog Ticks.
Revolution® for Cats	8 wks	Monthly; topical	Selamectin	None	Fleas, flea eggs, ear mites, one type of hookworm and one type of roundworm.
Advantage Multi™ for Dogs	7 wks and 3 lbs	Monthly; topical	Moxidectin	Imidacloprid	Fleas, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
Advantage Multi™ for Cats	9 wks and 2 lbs	Monthly; topical	Moxidectin	Imidacloprid	Fleas, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites.
Trifexis	8 wks and 5 lbs	Monthly; chewable	Milbemycin oxime and Spinosad	N/A	Fleas, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.