• Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Heartworm Medicine for Dogs

1 - 48 of 62 results
Down arrow icon 1
1
2
NextIcon angle right 2

Heartworm Medicine and Prevention for Dogs

Heartworm disease in dogs is fatal if left untreated. Pets get the illness when a mosquito bites them and infects them with larvae. Since these insects are everywhere, veterinarian's recommend having a year-round prevention plan. By doing this you can protect your dog from heart failure, lung disease, and organ damage. Learn how the parasite life cycle works and the heartworm medicine for dogs that is available.

Heartworm Life Cycle

Adult heartworms live in the heart of infected dogs. Here, they produce microfilariae that remain in the canine’s bloodstream. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, they take in microfilariae that grow into larger larvae over a period of two weeks. Larvae then travel to the mosquitoes mouth where they wait for the insect to feed so they can enter their new host. After the transfer, larvae spend the next 65 days maturing and migrating to the dog’s heart where they remain over a 5-7 year lifespan.

Symptoms and Heartworm Prevention for Dogs

Most canines don’t show signs of heartworm disease until it progresses. If you notice your pet has a decreased appetite, is losing weight, lacks energy, or has a cough, consult a veterinarian. They will diagnose your pet which is step one of deciding their treatment plan.

For canines who only have the infection, they receive heartworm medicine for dogs known as preventives. This type of medication kills the immature form of larvae but does not kill adult worms. This is why testing is key in determining which stage of heartworms your canine has. With your veterinarian’s guidance, you can select the proper heartworm prevention for dogs, schedule routine testing, and limit your pet’s exposure to mosquitoes.

Prescription Heartworm Medicine for Dogs

There are four heartworm medicines for dogs that Petco carries—Heartgard, Iverhart, Sentinel, and Tri-Heart. The active ingredient Ivermectin is used in Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Plus, and Tri-Heart Plus. Ivermectin kills the immature form of the heartworm while also helping control intestinal worms. Prescription medications and pills with this ingredient are safe to use on dogs 6 weeks or older.

Milbemycin Oxime is the other active ingredient used in Sentinel heartworm products. It works by killing the immature stage of the heartworm larvae and the adult stage of hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. It differs from Ivermectin by also helping control fleas. Sentinel for dogs is safe to use on dogs 4 weeks or older, weighing 2 pounds or more.

FAQs about Prescription Heartworm Medicine

The best selling dog prescription heartworm brands are:

Finding the best heartworm preventative medication for your dog is a decision that is best made in partnership with your veterinarian. The right heartworm preventive medication for your dog depends on a lot of factors you can discuss with your veterinarian. The great news is there are a lot of options, which include injectable long-lasting preventative, chewable, topical application – and combinations that also prevent against internal parasites like roundworms and external parasites like fleas and ticks. Depending on the lifestyle and needs of you and your pet, you can select from many options. Breed is also taken into consideration when choosing the best heartworm therapy for your pet. Some breeds such as collies, may have an increased sensitivity to the active ingredient Ivermectin.

Yes, you need a prescription for heartworm preventative in the United States. Most Veterinarians require a recent negative heartworm test be on file before prescribing heartworm preventatives. Heartworm testing is performed annually to ensure your pet continues to be free from heartworms and it’s safe to continue to administer the heartworm medication prescribed by your veterinarian.

Yes, it's recommended that you keep your pet on year-round heartworm prevention treatment, because carriers of the disease never truly go away. Many heartworm preventative medications include preventatives for other worms your dog may contract. Indoor dogs also benefit from year-round protection, due to the variety of worms and diseases that your dog may encounter throughout the year.

It depends on the preventative you and your veterinarian have selected is best for your pet. Most oral or topical preventatives are given monthly and should be used year-round. The current injectable heartworm preventatives are administered by a veterinarian either every 6 or 12 months. Proper dosing and administration should be discussed with your veterinarian.

    Styled arrow button