Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs Up to 25 lbs (Up to 11 kg)

Description

Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs Up to 25 lbs (Up to 11 kg) deliver ivermectin at 68 mcg and pyrantel at 57 mg per monthly dose, targeting heartworm larvae and key intestinal parasites in small dogs. Each chewable is formulated for oral administration, accepted by the majority of dogs at first offering in acceptability trials conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim. Dogs weighing between 0 and 25 lbs receive a single blue-coded chewable once every 30 days throughout the mosquito season or year-round in endemic regions.

Recommended for

Dogs weighing up to 25 lbs (up to 11 kg), from 6 weeks of age.

Indication/Coverage

For dogs suffering from, or at risk from, mixed parasitic infections, Heartgard Plus Chewables (Up to 25 lbs) address the following indications:

• Heartworm prevention (Dirofilaria immitis): Eliminates tissue-stage L3 and L4 larvae within 30 days of mosquito-transmitted infection, preventing progression to adult heartworm.
• Roundworm treatment and control (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, adults): Pyrantel pamoate induces neuromuscular paralysis in both roundworm species through acetylcholine-mediated depolarising blockade, causing expulsion from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Hookworm treatment and control (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense, adults): Pyrantel pamoate eliminates all three hookworm species through the same depolarising neuromuscular blockade, covering the primary hookworm ( caninum), the northern hookworm (U. stenocephala), and the subtropical species (A. braziliense).

Key Benefits

Heartgard Plus Chewables (Up to 25 lbs) carry the following clinically relevant attributes:

• Minimum age: 6 weeks. The labeled safety profile supports administration in puppies from 6 weeks of age, making it among the earliest-start heartworm preventives available.
• Dual active ingredients. Ivermectin targets heartworm larvae at the tissue stage; pyrantel pamoate acts separately on adult intestinal roundworms and hookworms through neuromuscular depolarisation.
• 30-day larval window. Ivermectin at 6 mcg/kg eliminates immitis larvae acquired up to 30 days prior, providing retroactive clearance within each monthly dosing cycle.
• Six-parasite coverage. A single monthly chewable addresses one heartworm species and five intestinal parasites across two taxonomic families, roundworms and hookworms.
• Oral chewable format. Dogs that resist topical spot-on application accept the beef-flavored chewable at first offering in the majority of cases, reducing the risk of partial dosing from application errors.
• Breeder and breeding-age safety. Boehringer Ingelheim’s clinical trials established no adverse effects in pregnant bitches, breeding stud dogs, or puppies aged 6 weeks and older at recommended dose levels.
• Compatible with concurrent medications. Flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines, and steroid preparations have been co-administered with Heartgard Plus in clinical trials without recorded interaction events at label doses.
• No choking risk at correct dosing technique. The chewable can be broken into pieces for dogs that habitually swallow treats whole, eliminating the obstruction risk associated with rapid ingestion.

Caution

Hazards to Humans

Keep Heartgard Plus Chewables out of reach of children at all times. In the event of accidental ingestion by a person, contact a physician immediately. A Poison Control Center can provide additional guidance to treating physicians regarding ingestion cases.

Hazards to Domestic Animals

Heartgard Plus Chewables are formulated for oral administration in dogs aged 6 weeks and older, weighing up to 25 lbs (up to 11 kg). Dogs with known or suspected heartworm infection should be tested and treated to clear adult worms and microfilariae before starting this product, as ivermectin at label dose does not eliminate adult D. immitis. Consult a veterinarian before administering to debilitated, aged, pregnant, or nursing dogs, as individual physiological status may alter drug metabolism or tolerance. Collie-breed dogs show heightened sensitivity to ivermectin at elevated doses; Heartgard Plus at the recommended 6 mcg/kg level has demonstrated no signs of toxicity in Collies, though a veterinarian should be consulted for any dog with a known or suspected MDR1 gene mutation.

Possible Side Effects:

Monitor your dog after each monthly administration of Heartgard Plus Chewables, particularly following the first dose.

Based on post-approval adverse drug experience reporting submitted to FDA/CVM, the following reactions have been recorded in decreasing order of frequency:

• Gastrointestinal reactions: Vomiting and diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing occurred in 1.1% of administered doses in clinical field trials. More frequent reports of vomiting and diarrhea have been captured in post-approval experience data.
• Lethargy and anorexia: Reduced activity and decreased appetite have been reported; these signs typically resolve without intervention, though persistent cases require veterinary assessment.
• Neurological signs: Seizures, ataxia, and muscle tremors appear in post-approval reports at lower frequency. Dogs with a prior seizure history or neurological conditions should not receive this product without prior veterinary clearance.
• Hypersalivation and pruritus: Excessive salivation and skin itching have been noted in post-approval submissions at lower reporting frequency.
• Choking and intestinal obstruction: Cases of choking or obstruction have been reported when the chewable is swallowed whole. Break the tablet into pieces for dogs that do not chew treats before swallowing.

If any of these signs develop after administration, contact a veterinarian.