Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs

To a dog owner, our furry friends are more than just pets, they are members of the family. Dogs give so much love to their owners, and in return it is our responsibility to ensure they stay happy and healthy. Food, exercise, and treats are only part of this responsibility; we also have to keep them free from disease. Some of the most prevalent diseases affecting dogs are heart worms and parasites.

Heart worm is spread by fleas and can be passed from one dog to another. This, unfortunately, makes heart worm disease common;  and also a potentially fatal disease. The good news is that it is easily preventable. Dog owners can take preventative measures giving their dogs heartworm medication to protect their beloved pets.

Heartgard and Heargard Plus

One such product that helps prevent heart worm and other parasite infestations such as roundworm and hookworm is Heartgard. Heartgard is the #1 heart worm medication prescribed by veterinarians. It comes in several different forms, each product is tailored to fit your dogs size, age, and breed. Heartgard is a once a month tablet that also comes in chewable form. It is much easier to give your dog a pill once a month then to deal with the emotional and financial cost of treating heart worm disease. It's also easy to get your dog to take Heartgard because it is made with real beef, most dogs just think it's a treat! Heartgard is so safe for dogs that it has been approved for use with puppies as young as six weeks and even pregnant and nursing dogs.

Difference between Heartgard and Heartgard Plus

There are two version of Heartgard available: Heartgard and Heartgard Plus. Both are oral heartworm preventive medication taken on a monthly basis and with the biggest difference between them being that the Heartgard Plus can also eliminate certain intestinal worms. The Heartgard contains Ivermectin that is for preventing heartworm disease and the Heartgard Plus also contains Pyrantel that helps treat and control ascarids and hookworms.

Based on the weight of the dog, Heartgard and Heartgard Plus are available in following options:

• Upto 25 lb (Heartgard Plus Blue Pack)
• 26-50 lbs (Heartgard Plus Green Pack)
• 51-100 lbs (Heartgard Plus Brown Pack)

Your dog is a precious member of your family and it is very important to make sure he stays happy and healthy and lives a long and full life. Heartgard products are an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Ensure that you and your dog will have many years of fun and adventure together by treating him with Heartgard once a month based on your doctor’s recommendation.

Vetmedin Chewable Tablets for Dogs

Vetmedin (Boehringer Ingelheim) is a safe and effective prescription treatment for canine congestive heart failure. It helps the heart to pump blood efficiently and that is important when your dog is suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy or atrioventicular valvular insufficiency. These chewable tablets are easy to administer, beef-flavored, and is tolerated well by most dogs. It helps relieves the symptoms of congestive heart diseases and can prolong the life of your pet.

How does it work?

As an inodiolator, Vetmedin or its generic option Pimobendan, opens up the blood vessels that take blood away from the heart as well as the ones that return blood back to the heart. This relieves stress on the heart and allows for easier expansion and contraction of the muscle. It also increases the strength of the heartbeat, allowing for more blood flow with less cardiac effort.

Recommended Dosage*

• The recommended total daily dose is .23 mg/lb of canine body weight
• Available by prescription only with 1.25mg and 5mg options

How it is administered?

• Vetamin is administered orally twice daily
• Doses should be spaced 12 hours apart
• Should be taken approximately one hour before food
• The tablets can be administered whole or split in half to adhere to your veterinarian’s instructions
• Recommended only for dogs older than 6 months

Possible Side Effects:

Vetmedin is safe for most dogs, however adverse side effects are possible. When you dog experience one or more of the following allergic reactions, discontinue use and seek immediate emergency veterinary care.

• Swelling of the tongue, throat, mouth, or face
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Labored breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Weakness, fainting, or lack of coordination

Vetmedin should not be administered to animals that are allergic, pregnant, or lactating. It should not be administered if the animal has other heart conditions such as aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, and other heart conditions that would be exacerbated by higher cardiac output.

Medi-Vet offers two options for Vetmedin tablets: 1.25mg and 5mg. Both are available as a pack of 50 chewable tablets. We sell this prescription medication only to licensed veterinarians and pharmacies. As a dog owner, you can ask your vet or pharmacy to fulfill your prescription with us.

*Disclaimer: Please consult with your Veterinarian for your dog’s needs