Information on Heartworm Preventives

Heartworm disease is caused by parasitic worms that invade your dog’s heart and the surrounding blood vessels. These parasitic worms make their way into your dog by infecting the mosquitoes that bite your pets. Fortunately, heartworm disease is preventable using either oral or topical medications.

This blog discusses the different topical medications we offer here at Seneca Animal Clinic to help you decide which prescription will best suit your needs. Please give us a call to further discuss your options and schedule an appointment for heartworm testing!

Nexgard Spectra (afoxolaner, milbemycin oxime)

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Once a month beef flavoured chew
• Treats and controls hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and lungworm infestations in dogs and puppies
• Treats and prevents fleas and ticks
• Available in 5 different sizes (2 – 3.5 kg; 3.6 – 7.5 kg; 7.6 – 15 kg; 15.1 – 30 kg; 30.1 – 60 kg)
• Safe for use in puppies 8 weeks or older weighing at least 2 kg

Heartgard Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel)

• Prevents canine heartworm disease
• Once a month beef chew
• Treats and controls hookworms, roundworms
• Available in 3 different sizes (0 – 25 lbs; 26 – 50 lbs; 50 – 100 lbs)
• Safe for puppies six weeks and older

Revolution (selamectin)

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Topical preventive applied once per month to the skin on the back of the neck
• Kills adult fleas
• Prevents flea eggs from hatching
• Prevents and controls flea infestations
• Treats and controls ear mites & sarcoptic mange
• Controls American dog tick infestations
• Available in 6 different sizes (under 5.5 lbs, 5.7 – 11 lbs, 11-22 lbs, 22.2 – 44 lbs, 44.2 – 88 lbs, 88.2 – 132 lbs)
• Safe for use in puppies six weeks and older

Advantage Multi (imidacloprid + moxidectin)

• Prevents heartworm disease and treats circulating microfilaria
• Topical preventive applied once per month to the skin on the back of the neck
• Available in 4 different sizes (up to 9.9 lbs, 10-19.8 lbs, 20-55lbs, 55-99 lbs)
• Kills adult fleas and treats flea infestations
• Treats and controls common intestinal parasites: roundworms, hookworms and whipworms
• Treats and controls sarcoptic mange

Written by: Seneca Animal Clinic