Top 9 Heartworm Medications For Your Dogs

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition in dogs, caused by parasitic worms living in the heart and lungs. Preventing this disease is crucial for your dog’s health, and there are numerous heartworm medications to choose from. Below, we break down the top 9 heartworm medications which approved by FDA, highlighting their attributes, effectiveness, side effects, and user reviews.

Name	Active Ingredients	Price Range	Duration of Protection	Spectrum of Protection
Heartgard Plus	Ivermectin, Pyrantel	$30-$7	1 month	Heartworm, roundworms, hookworms
Revolution	Selamectin	$50-$120	1 month	Heartworm, fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, certain ticks
Interceptor	Milbemycin Oxime	$40-$70	1 month	Heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms
Sentinel Spectrum	Milbemycin Oxime, Lufenuron, Praziquantel	$50-$100	1 month	Heartworm, fleas, tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms
Tri-Heart Plus	Ivermectin, Pyrantel	$25-$60	1 month	Heartworm, roundworms, hookworms
Advantage Multi	Imidacloprid, Moxidectin	$60-$120	1 month	eartworm, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, sarcoptic mange
Trifexis	Spinosad, Milbemycin Oxime	$70-$120	1 month	Heartworm, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms
ProHeart 6	Moxidectin	$50-$100	6 months	Heartworm, hookworms
ProHeart 12	Moxidectin	$100-$200	12 months	Heartworm, hookworms

Heartgard Plus

Attributes:

• Brand Name: Heartgard Plus
• Active Ingredients: Ivermectin, Pyrantel
• Form: Chewable tablet
• Dosage Information: Administered monthly
• Price Range: $30-$75 for a 6-month supply
• Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim
• Duration of Protection: 1 month
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, roundworms, hookworms

Effectiveness:

Heartgard Plus is highly effective in preventing heartworm disease, killing the larvae before they mature into adult worms. A unique advantage of Heartgard Plus is its dual-action formula. It not only protects against heartworms but also fights other common parasites. It also treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.

Side Effects:

Potential side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, though these are rare.

User Reviews and Veterinarian Recommendations:

Revolution

Attributes:

• Brand Name: Revolution
• Active Ingredients: Selamectin
• Form: Topical solution
• Dosage Information: Administered monthly
• Price Range: $50-$120 for a 6-month supply
• Manufacturer: Zoetis
• Duration of Protection: 1 month
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, certain ticks

Effectiveness:

Revolution provides broad-spectrum protection against heartworms, fleas, and other parasites, making it a versatile option.

Side Effects:

Side effects are rare but may include temporary hair loss at the application site, digestive upset, and lethargy.

User Reviews and Veterinarian Recommendations:

Interceptor

Attributes:

• Brand Name: Interceptor
• Active Ingredients: Milbemycin Oxime
• Form: Chewable tablet
• Dosage Information: Administered monthly
• Price Range: $40-$70 for a 6-month supply
• Manufacturer: Elanco
• Duration of Protection: 1 month
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms

Effectiveness:

Interceptor is effective in preventing heartworm disease and controlling various intestinal parasites, including roundworms and whipworms.

Side Effects:

Possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, which are typically mild.

User Reviews and Veterinarian Recommendations:

Sentinel Spectrum

Attributes:

• Brand Name: Sentinel Spectrum
• Active Ingredients: Milbemycin Oxime, Lufenuron, Praziquantel
• Form: Chewable tablet
• Dosage Information: Administered monthly
• Price Range: $50-$100 for a 6-month supply
• Manufacturer: Virbac
• Duration of Protection: 1 month
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, fleas, tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms

Effectiveness:

Sentinel Spectrum offers broad protection against heartworms, fleas, and various intestinal parasites, including tapeworms.

Side Effects:

Side effects are rare but may include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

User Reviews and Veterinarian Recommendations:

Tri-Heart Plus

Attributes:

• Brand Name: Tri-Heart Plus
• Active Ingredients: Ivermectin, Pyrantel
• Form: Chewable tablet
• Dosage Information: Administered monthly
• Price Range: $25-$60 for a 6-month supply
• Manufacturer: Merck Animal Health
• Duration of Protection: 1 month
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, roundworms, hookworms

Effectiveness:

Tri-Heart Plus is effective in preventing heartworm disease and controlling roundworms and hookworms.

Side Effects:

Potential side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, though these are uncommon.

Advantage Multi

Attributes:

• Brand Name: Advantage Multi
• Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid, Moxidectin
• Form: Topical solution
• Dosage Information: Administered monthly
• Price Range: $60-$120 for a 6-month supply
• Manufacturer: Bayer Animal Health
• Duration of Protection: 1 month
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, sarcoptic mange

Effectiveness:

Advantage Multi provides comprehensive protection against heartworms, fleas, and various intestinal parasites, including sarcoptic mange.

Side Effects:

Side effects are rare but may include temporary hair loss at the application site and digestive upset.

User Reviews and Veterinarian Recommendations:

Trifexis

Attributes:

• Brand Name: Trifexis
• Active Ingredients: Spinosad, Milbemycin Oxime
• Form: Chewable tablet
• Dosage Information: Administered monthly
• Price Range: $70-$120 for a 6-month supply
• Manufacturer: Elanco
• Duration of Protection: 1 month
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms

Effectiveness:

Trifexis offers robust protection against heartworms, fleas, and various intestinal parasites, including whipworms.

Side Effects:

Side effects may include vomiting, itching, and lethargy, though these are infrequent.

User Reviews and Veterinarian Recommendations:

ProHeart 6

Attributes:

• Brand Name: ProHeart 6
• Active Ingredients: Moxidectin
• Form: Injectable
• Dosage Information: Administered every 6 months
• Price Range: $50-$100 per injection
• Manufacturer: Zoetis
• Duration of Protection: 6 months
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, hookworms

Effectiveness:

ProHeart 6 provides long-lasting protection against heartworms and hookworms, requiring just two injections per year.

Side Effects:

Side effects are rare but may include anaphylaxis, vomiting, diarrhea (with and without blood), listlessness, weight loss, seizures, injection site pruritus, and elevated body temperature.

ProHeart 12

Attributes:

• Brand Name: ProHeart 12
• Active Ingredients: Moxidectin
• Form: Injectable
• Dosage Information: Administered annually
• Price Range: $100-$200 per injection
• Manufacturer: Zoetis
• Duration of Protection: 12 months
• Spectrum of Protection: Heartworm, hookworms

Effectiveness:

ProHeart 12 offers year-long protection against heartworms and hookworms with just one injection annually.

Side Effects:

Side effects are rare but may include vomiting, swelling at the injection site, and lethargy.

Criteria for Choosing Heartworm Medication For Your Dog

Choosing the right heartworm medication for your dog involves considering key factors to ensure their health and safety.

• Evaluating your dog’s weight and age, as different medications have specific dosage requirements. Puppies and senior dogs may need special attention.
• Considering how the medication is administered. Chewable tablets might be easier for some dogs, while others may need traditional tablets or topical treatments. Select the method that works best for you and your dog to ensure consistent treatment.
• Frequency of dosing is also important. Some medications require monthly administration, while others offer yearly injections. Choose what best fits your routine and adherence ability.
• Checking if the medication provides additional protection against other parasites, like fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms, for comprehensive care with one product.

Where Do You Can Buy Heartworm Medications?

Online pet pharmacies like Anipet Shop provide the convenience of home delivery, saving you a trip to the vet’s office. They offer detailed product descriptions, uses, and administration instructions, which can be very helpful. Anipet Shop’s dedication to excellence means the products delivered will meet and exceed your expectations.

In conclusion, when selecting a heartworm medication for your dog, it’s essential to consider the specific needs of your pet and consult with your veterinarian. Each of these top 9 medications offers unique benefits, and the best choice will depend on your dog’s health, lifestyle, and your preferences. Protecting your dog from heartworm disease is a vital part of responsible pet ownership, and these medications provide robust options to ensure your furry friend’s well-being.