5 Best Heartworm Medicines for Dogs

Popular Heartworm Preventives for Dogs

Heartworms are deadly parasites. Not only the heart, but these parasites also infect other critical organs of the dog’s body. As they grow to become adults, they reproduce baby heartworms. With increasing numbers, these worms obstruct and in the worst case, completely stop the blood flow in the canine heart, killing the infected dog. This is why it is vital to stop these deadly worms from growing.

The best way to stop heartworms from causing damage to canine health is by providing them with an effective heartworm preventive, all year around. These preventives kill heartworms in their larval life stage (microfilaria) and prevent them from growing and causing lethal repercussions.

This blog enlists some of the best dog heartworm preventives. Read through to explore.

Heartgard Plus

Heartgard Plus is a real beef-flavored chew, recommended for the prevention of heartworm disease.

Recommended for

6 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Composition

Ivermectin, pyrantel

Dosage

One chew every month

Available packs

• Heartgard Plus for Dogs Up to 25 lbs
• Heartgard Plus for Dogs 26 to 50 lbs
• Heartgard Plus for Dogs 51 to 100 lbs

Offered protection

• Eliminates tissue stage of heartworm larvae
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats and controls roundworms & hookworms 

Valuheart

Valuheart Formulated in an easy-to-dose tablet form, is an affordable option to prevent deadly heartworm disease in dogs.

Recommended for

6 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Composition

Ivermectin

Dosage

One tablet per month

Available packs

• Valuheart for Dogs Up to 22 lbs
• Valuheart for Dogs 23 to 44 lbs
• Valuheart for Dogs 45 to 88 lbs

Offered protection

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Eliminates tissue stage of heartworm larvae
• Helps reduce the number of circulating microfilariae

Interceptor Plus

Interceptor Plus is a monthly chew, formulated in the form of real chicken flavor to protect dogs against heartworm disease and gastrointestinal worm infections.

Recommended for

6 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Composition

Milbemycin oxime, praziquantel

Dosage

One chew per month

Available packs

• Interceptor Plus for Dogs 2 to 8 lbs
• Interceptor Plus for Dogs 8.1 to 25 lbs
• Interceptor Plus for Dogs 25.1 to 50 lbs
• Interceptor Plus for Dogs 50.1 to 100 lbs

Offered protection

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats & controls adult roundworm, adult hookworm, adult
• whipworm and adult tapeworm infections

Nuheart

Nuheart Also known as a generic of Heartgard, It is a soluble monthly tablet for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs.

Recommended for

6 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Composition

Ivermectin

Dosage

One tablet per month

Available packs

• Nuheart for Dogs Up to 25 lbs
• Nuheart for Dogs 26 to 50 lbs
• Nuheart for Dogs 51 to 100 lbs

Offered protection

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Eliminates tissue stage of heartworm larvae   

[Also Read] Heartgard Plus Vs Nuheart – Which Product To Opt For?

Because Prevention is Better than Cure

Heartworm disease in its early stages is hard to detect as the majority of the animals show little to no symptoms of illness in the beginning. Dogs take up to 6 months to surface any signs of the disease and by this time, the disease has already advanced. Once the dog is detected heartworm-positive, the treatment is prolonged, tedious and has serious health consequences on dogs due to the use of arsenic-containing treatment.

This is why, it is essential to prevent this disease at all costs. The preventive treatments mentioned in this article shall help you keep your dogs safe from this deadly disease. It is recommended to consult a vet and have your dogs tested for heartworm disease before using any of these preventives on your canine friends.