Heartworms lead to a heart-wrenching health condition in dogs. Untimely treatment of heartworms or not using preventatives can be fatal for your dog. You need to keep these worms as far away as possible from your beloved pet to protect him from life-threatening diseases. It’s crucial to use preventive treatments because the treatment of heartworm disease is very complex and expensive. In order to keep your dog safe from the disease, first, have a look at what heartworm infection is.
What Is Heartworm Infection?
Dogs get heartworms only through a bite of an infected mosquito. It is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic roundworm. These worms live in the lungs, blood vessels and heart of the animal which further leads to lung disease or heart failure. An adult worm can live for approximately 5-7 years and grow up to 12 inches long. These worms are highly dangerous for your pet thus it’s crucial to administer heartworm preventives all year round.
Top Vet Recommended Heartworm Preventive for Dogs
#1 Heartgard Plus
Heartgard Plus is one of the top-selling heartworm preventatives for dogs. It is a beef-flavored chew that prevents heartworm infection as well as treats various intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms. The potent treatment seeps into the bloodstream of the pet and eradicates the immature stages of heartworms. The treatment is safe to use on puppies and dogs that are of 6 weeks and above age.
Key Benefits
- Prevents heartworm disease in dogs
- Comes in tasty beef-flavored chewable
- It is safe for pregnant or breeding dogs
- Also protects the pet against intestinal worms
- Effective on roundworms and hookworms
- Kills immature heartworms
For treating intestinal worms as well as preventing heartworms, Heartgard Plus is an ideal treatment for your dog.
#2 Revolution
Revolution is an all-rounder treatment that works against both internal as well as external parasites in dogs. The powerful formula breaks the flea life cycle and prevents future infestation. Moreover, it treats ear mites and sarcoptic mange in dogs. This topical treatment is waterproof hence stays effective for a longer duration of time. Revolution is safe to use on puppies and dogs over 6 weeks of age.
Key Benefits
- Broad-spectrum treatment
- Kills fleas, ticks, intestinal worms
- Eliminates roundworms and hookworms
- Prevents heartworm infection
- Non-greasy solution
- Prevents future flea infestation
- Treats and controls ear mites and sarcoptic mange
Revolution is the perfect treatment for protecting your dog from fleas, and intestinal worms in dogs.
#3 Advantage Multi
A product of Bayer, Advantage Multi is a potent treatment for fleas, intestinal worms, and prevention of heartworms. This topical treatment eradicates fleas only within 12 hours of application. In addition, it treats chewing lice, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and sarcoptic mange. Advantage Multi also aids in reducing the symptoms of Flea Allergy Dermatitis. The monthly treatment is safe to use on dogs over 7 weeks of age.
Key Benefits
- Treats and controls fleas and flea infestation
- Eliminates 100% fleas only in 12 hours of administration
- Prevents heartworm disease
- Effective against gastrointestinal worms
- Help treat Flea Allergy Dermatitis
- Cures chewing lice and sarcoptic mange
- Easy to apply formula
- Stays effective for one full month
#4 Milbemax
For treating gastrointestinal worms and preventing heartworms, Milbemax is the right choice. It is an oral treatment that eliminates infections caused due to hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Moreover, it eradicates microfilaria which causes heartworm disease in dogs. This monthly treatment is also safe to administer to breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs. Lastly, it can be given to puppies and dogs that are of 2 weeks and above age.
Key Benefits
- Prevents heartworms
- Eliminates microfilaria
- Easy to administer tablets
- Effective against hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
- Suited for puppies that are over 2 weeks old
- Safe for pregnant, lactating and breeding dogs
#5 Sentinel
Sentinel is an exceptional treatment that breaks the flea life cycle, treats various intestinal worms and prevents heartworm infection. The chews come in beef-flavored tablets which are readily accepted by dogs. This treatment is very effective in preventing flea infestation by breaking the flea life cycle. Moreover, it hinders the development of heartworm larvae (microfilaria) thus prevents heartworm infection. This treatment is safe to use on puppies over 8 weeks old.
Key Benefits
- One dose for intestinal worms and preventing heartworms
- Easy to administer chewable
- Comes in a palatable beef flavor
- Eliminates flea larvae and adult fleas by breaking the flea life cycle
- Protects your dog from dangerous heartworm infection
- It is safe to use on breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs
The above-mentioned products are some of the most recommended heartworm treatments available for dogs. Now you can easily pick the right treatment for your furry pal and keep him safe from such deadly disease.