Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that attacks the heart, lungs, and related blood vessels. ProHeart 6 is an
injectable heartworm preventive medication
that can be used in
healthy dogs
6 months of age or older.
Why was ProHeart recalled?
In 2004, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Fort Dodge Animal Health (FDAH) voluntarily recalled ProHeart 6 because of CVM’s concerns regarding reports of serious ADEs in dogs following use of the drug.
Is ProHeart safe for dogs?
ProHeart 12 has also been found to be safe for dogs that are sensitive to ivermectin , which is a common ingredient in oral heartworm preventatives. Talk with your veterinarian to see if your dog is a good candidate.
Can ProHeart 6 cause seizures?
ProHeart 6 can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures , and changes in appetite or physical activity level. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog has an
allergic reaction
or any signs of illness after receiving a ProHeart 6 injection.
What are the side effects of ProHeart 6?
In field studies, the following adverse reactions were observed in dogs treated with ProHeart 6: anaphylaxis, vomiting, diarrhea (with and without blood), listlessness, weight loss, seizures, injection site pruritus, and elevated body temperature.
What is the safest heartworm medicine for dogs?
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).
Are heartworm shots safe for dogs?
Heartworm Shots: Important Safety Information. ProHeart 6 should not be used on dogs who are sick, underweight, or who have a history of weight loss The product should be used with caution in dogs who have allergies or a history of adverse allergic reactions.
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.
Does ProHeart have ivermectin?
ProHeart 6 ® (Moxidectin): Another Reliable Option Dogs sensitive to ivermectin —a common ingredient in monthly products for heartworm disease.
Is 12 month heartworm shot safe?
ProHeart 12 works by releasing small doses of moxidectin into your dog’s bloodstream. This has been tested for years and is proven safe and worthwhile ! There are a few side effects that some studies have published. The side effects of ProHeart 12 include vomiting, dizziness, dehydration, and exhaustion.
Do dogs really need heartworm medication?
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.
Is heartworm medicine poison?
Immiticide, the drug we administer to dogs to treat heartworms, is a very carefully regulated poison It has been shown to be safe when administered correctly and at appropriate doses; however, its use is not something to be undertaken lightly.
Can ProHeart cause allergic reaction?
ProHeart 6 are allergic symptoms, including swelling of the face, itching, hives and/or inflamed skin Allergic reactions have been reported when ProHeart 6 and vaccines have been given at the same time. Some allergic reactions can be severe, such as difficulty breathing or collapse.
What happens if you give a dog too much ProHeart?
In field studies, the following adverse reactions were observed in dogs treated with ProHeart 6: anaphylaxis, vomiting, diarrhea (with and without blood), listlessness, weight loss, seizures, injection site pruritus, and elevated body temperature.
Can a dog overdose on ProHeart?
Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions may occur in some dogs following administration of ProHeart 12 alone or with vaccines In some cases, these reactions have resulted in death following administration of moxidectin microspheres (see POST-APPROVAL EXPERIENCE).
Can heartworm prevention make dogs sick?
There are rarely side effects, if given at the proper dosage, but some dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or incoordination In the case of an allergic response to the heartworm medication, a dog may experience itching, hives, swelling of the face, or even seizures or shock.
What are the side effects of
heartworm treatment
in dogs?
Twenty-six dogs (52%) experienced minor complications, such as injection site reactions, gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea, inappetance), and behavioral changes (lethargy, depression) during or after heartworm treatment.
Is ProHeart safe for heartworm positive dogs?
Infected dogs should be treated with an adulticide to remove adult heartworms. ProHeart 6 is not effective against adult D. immitis. Caution should be used when administering ProHeart 6 to heartworm positive dogs (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).
Is ProHeart the same as Heartgard?
While Heartgard Plus is a tasty treat-like chew that you can give to prevent heartworms, hookworms AND roundworms, Proheart6 eliminates the need to remember your monthly dose for your pet with just twice a year shots.
How long has ProHeart been around?
That’s a drug that came out in 2000 , offering 6 months’ heartworm prevention. But it was taken off the market in 2004 after many reports of adverse events (including deaths). Since ProHeart 12 is new, there’s not much information about its specific side effects yet.
Does ProHeart 6 prevent intestinal parasites?
ProHeart 6 does not offer protection against other common intestinal parasites like whipworm, roundworm or hookworm, although it can be used as a treatment for hookworms present at the time of administration.
Is heartworm injection safe?
The most common reported side effects in clinical trials were vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and anorexia. People should avoid inhalation, contact with eyes, or accidental self-injection Certification is required before veterinarians and staff administer PROHEART 12.
Is Heartgard Safe?
HEARTGARD demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies Results of these trials and bioequivalency studies, support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended.
What type of drug is proheart?
ProHeart 12 is indicated for use in dogs 12 months of age and older for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis for 12 months.
Does Heartgard cause seizures in dogs?
Heartgard Plus may cause conditions like seizures, tremors, and shaking too Moreover, some dogs may even turn blind or weak. Some dog breeds including collies are more sensitive to this type of treatment; therefore, it is good to treat them under veterinarian’s care.
What can cause anaphylaxis in dogs?
The most common substances to cause anaphylaxis are food proteins, insect bites, medications, antigens in vaccines, environmental pollutants, and chemicals It is important to note that anaphylaxis is an abnormal reaction.
What is the safest heartworm and flea prevention for dogs?
Trifexis is one of the leading oral combination heartworm preventatives It is a once a month chewable tablet that prevents heartworms, kills adult fleas and also prevents hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.
Which is safer Heartgard or Interceptor?
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.
Which heartworm medicine for dogs has the least side effects?
Ivermectin Ivermectin is one of the most common active ingredients in heartworm medicine. It can also treat other intestinal parasites and mites. This ingredient doesn’t typically cause any side effects when you give proper dosages to your pets.
Does heartworm treatment shorten a dog’s life?
Although there’s a risk involved in heartworm treatment, there’s a greater risk in not taking care of the infestation. Once in a while, a dog succumbs during the course of heartworm treatment. However, he’s almost certainly going to have a shortened life expectancy if heartworms are left alone.
Why do dogs have to stay calm during heartworm treatment?
From the first injection until six to eight weeks following the last injection, it will be absolutely essential to keep your dog quiet. That means strictly restricting all exercise and activity that would elevate your dog’s heart rate or increase his blood pressure.
Do most dogs survive heartworm treatment?
What is the treatment? There is some risk involved in treating dogs with heartworms, although fatalities are rare. “A new drug is available that does not have as many side effects, allowing successful treatment of more than 95% of dogs with heartworms”.
Which is better Heartgard or Interceptor 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.
Does interceptor have ivermectin in it?
Interceptor is the ONLY safe heartworm prevention medication for Collies, Collie-mixes, Shelties and Sheltie-mixes. This is because Interceptor does not contain the drug ivermectin , which is known to have deadly effects in these and some other breeds.
Is the interceptor safe?
Is Interceptor Plus Safe? Interceptor Plus has been demonstrated to be safe in healthy dogs when given according to labeled directions Interceptor Plus is approved for use in dogs and puppies 2 pounds of body weight or greater and 6 weeks of age and older.
Which dog breeds should avoid ivermectin?
Collies and other herding breeds such as border collies, Old English sheepdogs, and Shetland sheepdogs are more likely to have the
mdr1 gene mutation
, putting them at higher risk for toxic effects if given Ivermectin, as well as certain other drugs.
What dog breeds are sensitive to ivermectin?
Some breeds of dogs (e.g., collies, sheepdogs, and collie- or sheepdog-cross breeds ) are more sensitive to ivermectin than others. This is typically due to a specific genetic mutation (MDR1) that makes them less able to tolerate high doses of ivermectin.
Is ProHeart safe for MDR1?
The FDA determined ProHeart is safe for dogs with the MDR1 mutation when used at label doses The manufacturer of Simparica has tested the product for safety in dogs with the MDR1 mutation. No adverse effects were observed. Dogs with the MDR1 mutation are not at increased risk for adverse effects.
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.
Sources
https://www.petmd.com/news/view/what-proheart-6-heartworm-prevention-injection-and-it-safe-37700
https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/proheart-12-gives-dogs-year-heartworm-protection