Heartgard Plus Chewables For Dogs

(ivermectin/pyrantel)

Merial Heartgard Plus is a monthly oral heartworm preventative and intestinal wormer for dogs and puppies 6 weeks of age and older. Safe for pregnant and breeding females.

• Tasty beef-flavored chewable
• Easy to administer

Heatgard Plus prevents canine heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis) for a month (30 days) after infection and for the treatment and control of ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense).

Dosage: Heartgard Plus should be administered orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg (2.27 mg/lb) of body weight. The recommended dosing schedule for prevention of canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms is as follows:

Heartgard Plus is recommended for dogs 6 weeks of age and older.

For dogs over 100 lb use the appropriate combination of these chewables.

Administration:
Remove only one chewable at a time from the foil-backed blister card. Return the card with the remaining chewables to its box to protect the product from light. Because most dogs find Heartgard Plus palatable, the product can be offered to the dog by hand. Alternatively, it may be added intact to a small amount of dog food. The chewable should be administered in a manner that encourages the dog to chew, rather than to swallow without chewing. Chewables may be broken into pieces and fed to dogs that normally swallow treats whole.

Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended.

Heartgard Plus should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog's first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog's last exposure to mosquitoes.

When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease preventive program, the first dose of Heartgard Plus must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication.

If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the chewable must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with Heartgard Plus and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen minimizes the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.

Monthly treatment with Heartgard Plus also provides effective treatment and control of ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina)and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense) . Clients should be advised of measures to be taken to prevent reinfection with intestinal parasites.

Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Acceptability:
Heartgard Plus was shown to be an acceptable oral dosage form that was consumed at first offering by the majority of dogs.

Precautions:
All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with Heartgard Plus which is not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating a program with Heartgard Plus.

While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in Heartgard Plus at the recommended dose level, Heartgard Plus is not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction, presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea, has been observed in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae.

Store between 68°- 77°F (20°- 25°C). Excursions between 59° - 86°F (15° - 30°C) are permitted. Protect product from light.

Adverse Reactions:
Vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing was rarely observed in clinical trials. The following adverse reactions have been reported: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation.

Safety: Heartgard Plus has been shown to be bioequivalent to Heartgard, with respect to the bioavailability of ivermectin. The dose regimens of Heartgard Plus and Heartgard are the same with regard to ivermectin (6 mcg/kg). Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. Heartgard demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials and bioequivalency studies, support the safety of Heartgard products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended.

Heartgard Plus has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. In clinical trials, many commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations have been administered with Heartgard Plus in a heartworm disease preventive program.

Rx Medication Sold Only To Licensed Veterinarians & Pharmacies. Current License Must Be On File Prior To Shipping.