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:
Dog
Weight
|
Chewables Per Month
|
Ivermectin
Content
|
Pyrantel Content
|
Color Coding
on Foil-Backing
and Carton
|
Up to 25 lb
|
1
|
68 mcg
|
57 mg
|
Blue
|
26 - 50 lb
|
1
|
136 mcg
|
114 mg
|
Green
|
51 - 100 lb
|
1
|
272 mcg
|
227 mg
|
Brown
|
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.