For: Cats (6 weeks of age or older and no weight requirement)
Benefits:
•
Highly effective in preventing heartworms
•
A convenient and tasty chewable for easy administration
•
Delicious beef flavor that most cats will eat
How it works: Heartgard prevents heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae for a month after infection.
Cautions: It is important that you give your pet this preventative every month. If you miss more than two monthly doses, we recommend calling your vet before continuing the medication. Also, note that side effects are rare at the recommended heartworm prevention dose. Higher doses in dogs may cause tremors, dilated pupils, loss of body weight, and death. Side effects in cats include agitation, loss of appetite, staggering, dilated pupils, tremors, blindness and disorientation.
More Information:
Brand Name Heartgard Chewable (Merial)
Generic Name Ivermectin
What is the most important information I should know about Heartgard Chewable for Cats: Heartgard Chewable for Cats is a prescription medication available as a palatable meaty flavored chewable tablet. The usual dose of Heartgard Chewable for cats 5 pounds or less is 55mcg (red box) and for cats 6 to 15 pounds is 165mcg (purple box). The chewable tablets must be chewed and should not be swallowed whole. For cats, the pieces can be broken and crumbled into food or fed directly to the cat.
What is Heartgard Chewable for Cats: Heartgard chewable for Cats is given once a month for the prevention of heartworm disease. It is recommended by the American Heartworm Society that heartworm prevention be used year round. Heartgard may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this guide.
What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving Heartgard to my pet: Tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever had an allergic reaction to Heartgard, ivermectin, or to beef.
How should this medication be given: Give Heartgard exactly as directed by the veterinarian. If you do not understand the directions ask the pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. Heartgard chewable tablets must be chewed. They should not be swallowed whole. Store Heartgard chewable for Cats at room temperature. Do not remove the chew from its wrapper until ready to give the medicine. Keep this medication away from children and pets. Cat Heartgard Chewables is safe for use in pregnant or lactating cats.
What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary medical treatment. In cats symptoms of overdose may include disorientation, tremors, incoordination, and blindness.
What should I avoid while giving Heartgard to my pet: Because humans can contract hookworm from animals, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene. It is also important to eliminate fleas on the pet and in the household and to not feed the pet rodents or uncooked meat or fish. To prevent reinfection, daily cleanup of stools is recommended.
What are the possible side effects of Heartgard: Side effects of Heartgard are rare at the recommended heartworm prevention dose. Side effects that may occur in cats include agitation, loss of appetite, staggering, dilated pupils, tremors, blindness and disorientation.
What other drugs will affect Heartgard: Do not give Heartgard to your pet if already taking another heartworm medication.
Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about Heartgard written for health professionals that you may read.
Directions:
•
Cat Heartgard Chewables are a once-a-month chewable tablet available by prescription for the prevention of heartworm disease.
•
It is recommended by the American Heartworm Society that heartworm prevention be given year-round.
Tip: Do not remove the chew from its wrapper until ready to give. Cat Heartgard Chewables must be chewed. They should not be swallowed whole. For cats, the chew can be crumbled onto food or fed directly to the cat. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
Dosage:
Pet
Weight
Dosage
Cats:
Up to 5 lbs
Give 1 chewable tablet (red box) once a month
5 to 15 lbs
Give 1 chewable tablet (purple box) once a month
Dogs:
Horses:
Storage: Store this product at room temperature. Keep out of reach of children.
Heartgard Red Chewables (for Cats 1-5 lbs):
Active Ingredient
Amount
Ivermectin
55 mcg
Heartgard Purple Chewables (for Cats 5-15 lbs):
Active Ingredient
Amount
Ivermectin
165 mcg
Cat Heartgard Chewables
4.7
5
39
39
What a treat!
My cat Duchess is an indoor cat and always has been. At one of her early checkups the vet asked me about heartworm. He told me that even though she is an indoor cat mosquitoes can get in doors as they open or even on people coming in. I really never thought about it. He suggested Heartguard once a month. I thought - She will never take medicine willingly, this will be so hard. But not at all-she eats them as if they were a treat. I just take out the box and she comes running. Thank you!
03/25/2011
Cats wouldn't eat it alone.
My cats refused to eat it alone. They picked it up and acted like they would eat it and just set it back down.
Here's a tip: if you don't have any tuna (my cats LOVE tuna) you can chop up ham into tiny pieces and chop up the medicine with it. Mine ate the ham and the medicine once it was chopped up together.
02/26/2013
Most of my cats like it
I have 7 cats and only one of them won't take the pills. I have to push it into his mouth and hold his head until he swallows. The rest of the cats like the pills. Just make sure to give it in the morning when they're most hungry. I like these better than Interceptor because they're not hard to chew and smell tasty. Only 2 of my cats were willing to eat the Interceptor. My cats stay indoors the whole time but there's a lot of mosquitos here during the Summer and so far so good. No heartworm here. Just make sure to give it every month.
02/07/2013
1st try
freedom has never taken any kind of pill. so oddley enough it was a task. so i think i will break it in a smaller size and mix it in with her treat.. she loves her treats so i think this will work.
10/09/2012
tasty chewable - great idea
I was apprehensive, not being familiar with this product, but our kitten loves the "treat" each month. Being a kitten, he might bat it around a couple of times, but usually within a minute, he's chowing down and gobbles every morsel. We will continue with this method since he feels it is a treat, and we know he will be well protected.
He too is an indoor only cat, but living in the humid south, we don't want to risk the ocassional mosquito or flea harming him.
08/07/2012
Heartgard for cats is just Heartgard, not heartgard plus. Heartgard for cats only contains ivermectin which protects against heartworms. Heartgard plus for dogs contains 2 drugs and protects against heartworms, hookworms and roundworms.
I am quite confused, as i see Hartguard's main ingredient is ivermectin, but I have had a vet tell me NEVER to orally administer ivermectin to a cat, rather use it topically? Please let me know. I take care of a stray cat outside my office and I would like to get him on heartworm prevention, but I need to know how to administer it.
Cat Heartgard Chewables must be chewed. They should not be swallowed whole. For cats, the chew can be crumbled onto food or fed directly to the cat. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
Sorry, no. Heartgard only protects against heartworm disease. Heartgard Plus protects against heartworm disease as well as roundworm and hookworm, which are intestinal parasites. Medications such as Revolution and Advantage Multi protect against fleas, and/or ticks, and/or mites.
This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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