Which Preventive Is Best For Your Pet: Injectible Vs. Chewable Heartworm Preventive
Pet owners before you panic, there is a solution to heartworms in your dog: Heartworm preventive.
Not sure what heartworm is about? Read more about it here:
Heartworm and A Warning: Do Not Read While Eating
Heartworm in the Philippines: How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Heartworm?
Whose Fault When Your Dog Has Heartworms And What You Can Do About It
Heartworm Test
You have to know that before your can avail of the heartworm preventive, it is essential that you have your dog tested for heartworm.
The test requires a small blood sample from your dog. If the test is negative then the dog can be given the heartworm medication.
Kinds Of Heartworm Preventive
There are 2 heartworm preventives available in the market today. One is chewable and the other is injectible.
Heartworm Preventive: Chewable Pill or Tablet
Chewable Heartworm Preventives are pills or tablets you give to your dogs every month. The oral heartworm medication contains an active ingredient: ivermectin or milbemycin.
Most of these oral medication for heartworm has more than one function. Aside from targeting heartworm larvae, this pill can also eliminate internal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms, if any. Some even eradicate fleas.
You have to make sure that your dog chews the entire tablet and does not spit any of it. If so, the effectiveness of the pill will be lessened.
Heartworm Preventive: Injectable Once a Year Shot
Aside from chewable once a month heartworm preventive, a once a year injectable shot is also available.
This injectable has an active ingredient called moxidectin. Other than heartworm larvae, this shot also targets hookworms. Injectable heartworm preventive can already be given as early as 3 months.
Heartworm Preventive: Injectable Best For Busy Pet Parents Like You
Now, you may ask, which heartworm preventive is best for your pet? The answer to that depends on how busy you are. If you think that you can remember to give your pet a monthly preventive, then go for the chewable. But if you are a busy pet parent, the injectable would be the practical choice.
Here are 3 reasons why injectible is best for responsible and busy pet owners like you:
You Only Have To Give It 1x A Year
The injectable heartworm preventive is given only once a year. Out of your 365 days in a year, you only have to think of the heartworm preventive once. You can even ask your veterinarian to alert you for the yearly shot so as not to miss it.
You are encouraged to time it with your Annual Vet Check-Ups
Sometimes when you get busy, vet check-ups are pushed to a later date until you realized it has been more than a year that your pet has visited the vet. With the yearly injectable heartworm preventive, you are sure that your pet is checked from top to bottom. You are sure that your pet is in tip top shape and in best health.
Your Heartworm Injectible Includes Elimination of Hookworms
Other than just heartworms, the once a year injectable kills hookworms as well. This is a good thing as your dog is protected from other parasites on top of heartworm. You can feel confident that your dog is protected from these worms.
To learn more about the Injectable Heartworm Prevention ask your vet about Proheart 12.
Heartworm is a common occurrence in the Philippines. This is because mosquitoes are prevalent in the country. The best way to manage this parasite is through prevention. So choose the best heartworm preventive for your pet NOW and have peace of mind.
Enjoy peace of mind,
Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM
Pet Happiness Expert
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC
“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” – from a Happy Client
P.S. You might want to read more on Heartworm here: http://makatidogandcathospital.com/humans-and-heartworm-health/