CAVE SPRING VETERINARY CLINIC CURRENT HEARTWORM PREVENTIVES
Heartworm disease is a serious condition in dogs. It occurs when a mosquito that is carrying a larval heartworm,
feeds on an animal and injects the larva into the body. The larva goes through several growth stages before lodging
in or near the heart as an adult. The adults produce microfilaria (the first stage larva) and start the process over
again. It takes 4-6 months for the cycle to complete itself. The heartworm preventatives listed below are all very
effective at preventing the disease. Unlike monthly flea treatments, heartworm preventative only acts on the
animal's system for about 24 hours. The medicine kills any heartworm larvae that have been acquired by the
animal in the past 30 days. The drug is less effective on larvae that have been in the animal for longer periods.
Dogs are the definitive host for this parasite which means the parasite is unable to complete its life cycle in other
animals. However, in cats, the worm is sometimes able to mature to the adult stage. This can be serious in cats
because even in a single worm is large enough to cause significant heart and respiratory disease. If you have a cat
that is primarily outside you should consider heartworm prevention.
-Interceptor Flavor Tablets-The monthly tablets prevent heartworm disease and control the prevalent intestinal
parasites (hookworms, roundworms and whipworms) It is safe to use in breeding animals and can be used in
animals over 4 weeks of age and over 2 lbs. This product is strongly recommended for animals with a previous
history of whipworms or that are walked in areas where there are multiple other dogs (kennels, park, apartment
buildings).
-Sentinel Flavor Tablets-This is Interceptor with the addition of Lufenuron. This product controls fleas by
preventing fleas from reproducing.
-Heartgard Plus Chewables-The monthly dose is a beefy, semi-moist chew that has the highest palatabilty rating.
(If your dog won't readily eat it—return it for a full refund!) It controls hookworms and roundworms in addition to
heartworms. This is the only monthly heartworm preventative that has an unflavored version available for dogs
that have food sensitivities. This can be given to dogs 6 weeks of age and older.
-Tri-Heart Plus- This is a generic form of heartworm preventative. It is a flavored tablet with the same spectrum of
action as the Heartgard. It is made by Schering Plough, a very reputable drug company and also can be given to
dogs 6 weeks of age and older.
-Iverhart Max-This is a monthly flavored tablet. It controls heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
This is the only heartworm product that prevents tapeworms. Tapeworms are only acquired by ingesting an
infected intermediate host. (either a flea o a rodent). Since there are few animals that have this as a recurrent
problem, this product is available by special order only.
-Revolution- We recommend this product for use in primarily outdoor cats. It is a topical product that is absorbed
through the skin and has continued action for 30 days. It prevents heartworm disease, kills adult fleas, control
earmites, and controls roundworm and hookworm infections. It can be used on cats 8 weeks of age and older.
Dogs that are 6 months of age or older should be tested prior to starting heartworm preventative as adverse
reactions can occur when using preventatives in an infected animal. Dogs are also tested at their annual exams to
make sure that nothing slips through. The heartworm test has the added benefit of evaluating dogs for thress tickborne diseases: Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Analasmosis.
HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE PRICES
INTERCEPTOR
6 MONTH
12 MONTHS
0-10#
11-25#
26-50#
51-100#
$28.99
$30.99
$38.99
$48.99
$53.99
$55.99
$71.99
$90.99
$30.99
$38.99
$45.99
$56.70
$72.98
$84.99
HEARTGARD
0-25#
26-50#
51-100#
TRI-HEART
0-25#
26-50#
51-100#
$20.91
$27.98
$37.52
SENTINEL
2-10#
11-25#
26-50#
51-100#
$70.99
$75.99
$80.99
$90.99
IVERHEART—SPECIAL ORDER ONLY—ASK FRONT DESK FOR PRICES.
PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE – PLEASE ASK FRONT STAFF PERSONNEL FOR THE MOST
CURRENT PRICES.