Okay I have seen some crazy answers regarding heartgaurd. This is a very save medicine that can be proscribed to dogs that have heartworms. It does kill worms up to 45 days old. It does not prevent them it only kills the ones the dog already has. Also it will stun any larger worms so they can not produce the phase for the mosquitoes to pick up. It will not kill a heartworm positive dog to get heartgaurd!!!! In fact I have seen them give heartworm positive dogs daily doses to take the burden down!!! Please do your research before you medicate yourself and your dogs. Any additional comments and questions are welcome.
2007-10-30 09:36:40 · 9 answers · asked by lizard S 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You are right in some aspect and wrong in others.
It does kill the ones in the system. It is considered a preventative because it kills the larvea before it matures thus giving a negative test result.
If a dog has not been on it as a preventative and has full blown adult heartworms it will bleed out!!! Go to your local shelter and before they euthanize a hw (+) that has had no treatment give it a dose of heartguard. Don't do it in your living room its rather NASTY to watch a dog do what is called " Bleeding out"
Now a Heartworm positive dog that has had two months of treatment should be immediately put on Heartguard without a negative test result. After six months we quit testing BEssie and just went with the fact it was never going to be gone. Its been 2 1/2 years and I do believe she is finally getting better but she has taken her HW preventative since treatment.
HMM Maybe Ill HW test all my dogs tonight. Since I have a case of tests in in my fridge!!
2007-10-31 07:58:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are both right and wrong. Heartguard is a prevenative in that it prevents the worms from becoming mature and causing heartworm disease. Heartworm can also be used as a treatment, however it can only be used as a treatment IF the heartworms are in a mild stage...if given in more advanced stages it could in effect kill your dog..this is why it is very important to get a heartworm test done BEFORE using heartguard and why heartguard is by prescription only.
2007-10-30 10:53:09 · answer #2 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Heartguard is simply a minute dosage of ivermectin. It kills the migrating larvae before they reach the heart and lodge the same as ivermectin kills worms in livestock. It is very, very safe. And the person who posted the question is correct, it does not kill heartworm + dogs in most cases. It just doesn't help them.
Heartguard also has a small dose of pyrantel in it for worms in the gut.
What is posted on the website is simply what the FDA allows the company to say because that is what the drug is 'approved' for. It does do more and is used for more than that.
2007-10-30 09:50:03 · answer #3 · answered by mama woof 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You're absolutely wrong. Heartguard only prevents heartworms. If a dog has heartworms, it's a very serious issue.
The first poster covered this, and even gave links with "research" from Heartguard itself saying not to give dogs Heartguard if they already have heartworms, and to have them tested first.
So, I guess the most obvious thing to say is that maybe YOU need to do your research.
2007-10-30 09:49:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You're wrong. Please take a look at the Heartguard website (official - from manufacturer)... it says PREVENTATIVE all over it! Also says that dogs should be tested for Heartworms BEFORE taking Heartguard.
http://heartgard.us.merial.com/home/
Look at this as well: http://heartgard.us.merial.com/downloads/Dog_information.pdf
It prevents heartworm disease by "eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae for a month after infection" (direct quote). It does not cure heartworms! It also says: "Heartworm infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae prior to initiating a program with HEARTGUARD."
YOU do your research before you go around giving false info that could be fatal to a dog.
2007-10-30 09:41:49 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda 6 · 11⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Mutt Mommy.
My current vet, and every vet I have ever taken animals too, has always said the same thing: "Heartworm test BEFORE giving heartworm preventative. If heartworms are present, that needs to get resolved first." (Either way, I would rather be safe than sorry.)
.
2007-10-30 09:45:20 · answer #6 · answered by abbyful 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
i have never heard of any problems with it.
but i give my dog Inceptor. Sp?
but it's a few bucks more but fights roundworms, heartworms and other worm things.
2007-10-30 09:49:31 · answer #7 · answered by Erica 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you're wrong.
It take 3 years for all of the worms to be killed.
It also prevents future infestation.
That means no more worms can hatch.
the dog can die.
it should only be given to LITE hw positive dogs.
2007-10-30 09:49:50 · answer #8 · answered by nodesignerdogs4me 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I thought Heartgaurd was a preventative not a cure?
2007-10-30 09:50:28 · answer #9 · answered by season7780 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋