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Articles > HealthHow to Know What Heartworm Medication is Best for Your Older Dog Heartgard is a very popular dog medication designed to prevent heartworm disease. Heartworm is a very risky, and even fatal, illness that is very common in dogs throughout the United States. The disease moves from one infected dog to others through mosquitoes, which carry the heartworm’s offspring and spread the microscopic parasite, the heartworm. When the heartworm finds a new host, it lives and feeds inside its blood vessels, especially in the lungs and heart, and grows over one foot long. The dogs that suffer from severe infections appear lethargic and may suffer heart failure. Luckily, Heartgard prevents the illness very easily. The active ingredient in Heartgard is Ivermectin, which is a drug that is designed to kill parasitic worms and is recommended by many vets. Heartgard comes in several dosages of Ivermectin to fit every dog size and it is administered in a monthly basis. This drug has to be prescribed by your vet so that you can buy it. Heartgard comes in chewable tablets that taste good, each box contains 6 tablets, meaning 6 doses, and it is very easy to give to your older dog. One dose will cover your dog for a month, and if you buy the version specific for your dog’s weight, the dosage is exact; you won’t have to measure or guess anything. The most important thing is that you get the right dosage for your dog. If you use a dose that is fit for a smaller dog, it won’t work. Also important is that you make sure the medication has not expired. Before giving it Heartgard, take your pal to the vet to get a blood test to make sure it is not infected already. Respect the monthly schedule; use the stickers in the box to mark the calendar to know when the next dose is due. To make it easier on you, try to start giving the medication on a day that can be easily remembered, like the 1st or 15th of the month, because forgetting may jeopardize the effectiveness of the drug. As with all medications, read the directions thoroughly before giving Heartgard to your dog, and double check the dosage requirements based on age and weight specifications. Try to get the medication from your vet to ensure your friend is in good health to take it; some older dogs may not be able to use it because of certain health conditions.
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