The chicken-flavored chewable monthly preventative, Interceptor Plus, is a popular alternative to the better-known Heartgard anti-heartworm medication.
What’s the difference between Interceptor and Heartgard?
Interceptor is safe for use in lactating dogs, while Heartgard Plus has not been proven safe for nursing mother dogs Interceptor is also safe for use in cats, while Heartgard Plus is formulated for dogs only (although Heartgard for Cats is a cat-friendly option). Interceptor offers added protection against whipworms.
Does Interceptor PLUS protect against heartworm?
Interceptor Plus prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls adult roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and
tapeworm infections
in dogs and puppies 6 weeks or older and 2 pounds or greater. Heartgard® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) prevents heartworm disease (D.
Is Interceptor for heartworm or flea and tick?
Interceptor Plus for dogs is designed to help prevent heartworm disease , while also protecting against common (and potentially deadly) intestinal parasites—hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Interceptor Plus combines two
powerful active ingredients
to provide such broad-spectrum protection.
Why was interceptor taken off the market?
The Greenfield, Ind., veterinary drug maker inherited Interceptor from Novartis Animal Health, which discontinued the monthly medication in 2013 because of quality-control issues.
Which is better Interceptor or Heartgard Plus?
Both Interceptor and Heartgard Plus are FDA-Approved to prevent heartworm, and reviews agree that they are both very effective products. Heartgard Plus may have a slight edge with fussy dogs, but Interceptor provides protection against whipworm infections, where Heartgard Plus does not.
What is the
safest heartworm preventative
for dogs?
Conventional preventatives The two most common (and generally considered safe) heartworm preventative ingredients used today are ivermectin (used in Heartgard by Merial, and other products) and
milbemycin oxime
(used in Interceptor by Novartis).
What is the best heartworm preventative for dogs?
- Heartgard Plus is the top choice for a heartworm preventive
- Iverhart Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) has been rated high for the effective protection it provides to dogs against heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and various other parasites.
How often do dogs take interceptor?
Interceptor Plus should be administered orally, once every month , at the minimum dosage of 0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) milbemycin oxime, and 2.28 mg/lb (5 mg/kg) praziquantel. For heartworm prevention, give once monthly for at least 6 months after exposure.
Can my dog still get worms while on interceptor?
Can my dog still get heartworms on Interceptor for dogs? Unfortunately, yes No heartworm preventative is 100% effective all the time. Dispensing errors, vomiting after taking their meds, improper dosage, and improper storage of medications can all be to blame for why some dogs still get heartworms on medication.
Is interceptor safe for heartworm positive dogs?
Interceptor Plus protects your dog against not only heartworm disease, but all five major worms including heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and tapeworm.
Which is
better sentinel
or Interceptor Plus?
The key advantage of Interceptor is that it is safe for use in cats Sentinel differs from Interceptor in that it contains a second active ingredient – Lufenuron. This ingredient works to break the life cycle of fleas. It stops developing flea larvae and eggs, but it does not eliminate existing flea infestations.
Do you need a prescription for interceptor?
Interceptor Plus will require a prescription from your veterinarian before you can purchase it.
What’s the difference between Interceptor Plus and Interceptor?
Interceptor is safe for use in cats, but Interceptor Plus is formulated only for use in dogs. Arguably, the most notable difference between these products is that Interceptor Plus contains a second active ingredient – Praziquantel This additional ingredient offers added protection against tapeworms.
Can you give Interceptor Plus and Nexgard at the same time?
INTERCEPTOR PLUS: Interceptor Plus is a monthly chewable that prevents heartworms and common intestinal parasites, for dogs 8 weeks of age or older. Interceptor Plus is used in conjunction with a flea/tick preventative, such as Nexgard or Bravecto.
What are the side effects of interceptor for dogs?
The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of INTERCEPTOR: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, ataxia, anorexia, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness and hypersalivation.
Do dogs really need heartworm pills?
Heartworm disease can be prevented in dogs and cats by giving them medication once a month that also controls various internal and external parasites. Heartworm infections are diagnosed in about 250,000 dogs each year. 1 But there is no good reason for dogs to receive preventives all year; it is just not needed.
What is the best flea and tick and heartworm medicine for dogs?
Best Overall Flea Medicine for Dogs Veterinarians recommend Simparica Trio because of its effective protection against ticks and fleas, as well as heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms—all in one convenient monthly chew. It’s a small, liver-flavored chewable tablet available by prescription.
Is there a generic Interceptor Plus?
Milbemycin Oxime is the generic name for the brand Interceptor and Praziquantel is the Plus.
How long does interceptor stay in dog’s system?
The active ingredients of heartworm medication are commonly ivermectin (Heartguard) or milbemycin oxime (Interceptor). Despite the fact the heartworm pill is given monthly to dogs, the heartworm drug stays in a dog’s system for about 24 hours , explains veterinarian Dr. Z.
Does interceptor protect against ticks?
While Interceptor Plus does to combat the heartworm and thetapeworm, as well as roundworms and hookworms, it still does not protect against fleas and ticks , so you may need to look elsewhere for that kind of preventative.
Does Interceptor Plus treat worms?
Interceptor Plus prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls adult roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections in dogs and puppies 6 weeks or older and 2 pounds or greater.
Is interceptor a dewormer?
Interceptor Plus is a broad spectrum anthelmintic for dogs In other words, Interceptor Plus contains two active ingredients that will aid in the elimination of 5 parasitic worms. This chewable dewormer comes in four different weight categories: 2 to 8 lbs.
Can interceptor make my dog sick?
The following adverse reactions have been reported in dogs after administration of milbemycin oxime or praziquantel: vomiting, diarrhea, depression/lethargy, ataxia, anorexia, convulsions, weakness, and salivation.
Is interceptor still available?
When production resumed in spring 2013, Novartis discontinued Interceptor but kept the Sentinel line. Like Interceptor, Sentinel contains milbemycin oxime. Sentinel Flavor Tabs contain lufenuron, as well, to control fleas. Sentinel Spectrum has the same ingredients as Flavor Tabs plus praziquantel to target tapeworms.
What age can you start Interceptor Plus?
Interceptor Plus prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls adult roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections in dogs and puppies 6 weeks or older and 2 pounds or greater.
Does interceptor cause seizures in dogs?
There is no correlation between using Interceptor (generically known as milbemycin oxime) for the prevention of heartworm and seizures. Drug safety studies performed before releasing the drug showed no significant side effects of any kind in dogs who received the heartworm prevention dose for that purpose.
How long can a dog go without heartworm pills?
Any time a dog goes more than six weeks without heartworm prevention the dog is at risk of infection. Dogs with mature infections (in which hearworms are mating and producing larvae in the bloodstream) may experience a shock-like adverse reaction to heartworm prevention.
Does INTERCEPTOR PLUS make dogs sleepy?
Interceptor® may result in these side effects: Depression Lethargy.
What is the safest heartworm treatment?
Melarsomine Melarsomine is the only FDA-approved adulticide therapy for heartworm disease. The AHS-recommended protocol, which is considered safer and more effective than alternative protocols, consists of an initial injection followed one month later by two injections spaced 24 hours apart.
What is the least expensive heartworm preventative?
- Generic Heartgard Plus (Ivermectin & Pyrantel) $15.95.
- Preventer Plus (Milbemycin oxime & Lufenuron) $21.95.
- Heartgard Plus Chewables. $29.95.
- Generic Revolution for Cats. $49.95.
- Revolution for Cats & Dogs. $37.95.
- Generic Advantage Multi (Imidacloprid & Moxidectin) .
- Advantage Multi (Advocate) .
- NexGard Spectra.
Which is safer Heartgard or sentinel?
Heartgard Plus can be used from an age of 6 weeks, while Sentinel is safe from 4 weeks and up Both products prevent heartworm disease, and they are both effective against roundworms and hookworms.
What if I missed my dogs heartworm pill?
Most of the monthly heartworm medicines have a safety factor of at least 15 days of protection if a dose is missed This means that if you’re just a week or two late, your pet is likely still within that window of protection and would be unlikely to become infected during that time.
What if I accidentally gave my dog two heartworm pills?
Heartgard is a very safe product, and even if you give your dog a higher dose it most likely won’t cause any health issues With that said, there is really no need to give your dog a higher dose of Heartgard.
What are signs of heartworms in dogs?
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.
Is heartworm injection better than tablets?
Unlike oral or topical medications that require monthly dosing, heartworm shots are administered just twice a year ProHeart 6 (Moxidectin) is the only FDA-approved heartworm shot and it provides six months of protection. It also treats hookworm infections.
What happens if you give your dog heartworm medicine and they have heartworm?
Heartworm preventives do not kill adult heartworms. Also, giving a heartworm preventive to a dog infected with adult heartworms may be harmful or deadly If microfilariae are in the dog’s bloodstream, the preventive may cause the microfilariae to suddenly die, triggering a shock-like reaction and possibly death.
Citations
https://yfvorlando.com/blog/5-best-heartworm-medicines-for-dogs/
https://pet.elanco.com/us/en/interceptorplus/how-it-works