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
32
32
Picky Eater
My Tonkinese is a very picky eater. When I first put the chewable out for him, he doesn't eat if right away and usually plays with it for a bit. I keep an eye out while doing other things. He eventually does eat it so I think he doesn't care for the beef flavor that much. He's a fowl man! I have read some of the other reviews and think I'll try 'hiding' it in canned food just to save me from having to watch 'without him knowing'. LOL Thanks! :)
03/17/2012
Mix the chewable with food
We, too, had trouble getting our cats to eat the Heartguard chewables, but the rub-on alternatives were a mess! We solved the problem by chopping the chewables up (almost into a powder) and mixing that in with some canned food. It works especially well with the varieties that have gravy. Our cats don't even notice it's there!
12/28/2011
Calico stopped eating the chewables
I have a female calico & a male black cat. I started them both on Heartguard when it was too hard to give Revolution to my calico w/out getting scratched. They both loved the Heartguard chewable at first. But after 4 or 5 months my calico wouldn't eat it any more. So I didn't buy it again for a while. I just started them back on it last week. My black cat ate it right up, but my calico still wouldn't eat it. So not every cat will go for this product. You may not want to buy a lot until you know for sure how your cat takes to it.
11/14/2011
Good product
I have three indoor cats and decided to get them on a monthly product, my Manx loved it, the other two refused to eat the heartworm tab, I ended up breaking it up in some soft food and finally got them to eat it.
10/17/2011
tiger
Tiger was diagnoised with heartworms, more than 3 years ago,. with good veternary care and Heartguard, with continued use for protection,
tiger is free from heartworms. My vet. discontinued carrying Heartguard in his office. This was the only way I could get the medicine and I worried about keeping Tiger protected. Now that worry is gone thanks to you and your cimpany
08/30/2011
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.
Yes actually you should order each kitty their own box as you need a prescription for this medication. 1 800 Pet Meds will send you reminders so your cats will never be without and the shipping is free on 2 boxes. The service is fast so you don't need special delivery. I use them for all my kitty supplies.
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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