Heartgard Plus

[Scooby172]

Dosage for Heartgard Plus is 26 to 50 lbs for medium dog and 51 to 100 lbs for a large dog. I have two dogs that fluctuate their weights throughout the year one is between 48-51 and the other is 49 to 52 or so, depending on his appetite he can go lower or higher. I've been using large and medium dosing as appropriate but think that the large dose is a lot for a dog that is closer to the lower weight range. If the large dose treats a dog that is 100lbs, isn't that a lot of medicaton for a dog that barely weighs 50 lbs? Any thoughts or am I overthinking this? Thanks, Linda, Valor, Keeva and Bella

L

[Guest 3greysinPA]

Either one would be fine; had the same issue with Faye when we first adopted her... Vet said either size... so we went with the larger size .... it was just easier... the rest of the hounds had the larger size.

Vet said it was fine.

[Guest hlpnhounds]

A product like Heartguard + is very safe and would really take a LOT to cause a problem with your pet. I would use the larger size.

[Guest Swifthounds]

If the large dose treats a dog that is 100lbs, isn't that a lot of medicaton for a dog that barely weighs 50 lbs? Any thoughts or am I overthinking this? Thanks, Linda, Valor, Keeva and Bella

L

 

The 26-50 is the dose for a 50# dog at the FDA approved dosage. The 50-100 is the dose for a 100# dog at the FDA approved dosage. The approved dosage of ivermectin for monthly heartworm administration is 2.72 mcg per lb. of bodyweight - a very small amount. The safety margin for ivermectin is quite large. In fact, it's been used off label to treat other types of worms at much larger doses. It's pretty hard to overdoes with ivermectin. That said, underdosing for a dog's size risks having the dose not be effective, since the FDA uses the lowest effective and safe dose.

 

I have two females that hover around 50# each and bought the oral ivermectin for swine and dose it at the actual amount and that has worked well for us.

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

My dogs get several times the Heartguard dosage every month. I also use it to treat (non-Grey) rescues that have mange, ear mites, whips, rounds, and it has some effectiveness against hooks. It works on demodex, too, as well as traditional itchy scabies. In short, unless your dog is a Collie or a similar ivermectin intolerant dog (Silken Windhounds are the only generally intolerant sighthound, because they most likely have sheltie blood in them via the long haired whippet part of their background- JMO), then you don't need to worry.

[Scooby172]

Just the information I was looking for, thanks everyone!

Linda, VAlor, Keeva and Bella

[Echobelly1]

My dogs get several times the Heartguard dosage every month. I also use it to treat (non-Grey) rescues that have mange, ear mites, whips, rounds, and it has some effectiveness against hooks. It works on demodex, too, as well as traditional itchy scabies. In short, unless your dog is a Collie or a similar ivermectin intolerant dog (Silken Windhounds are the only generally intolerant sighthound, because they most likely have sheltie blood in them via the long haired whippet part of their background- JMO), then you don't need to worry.

 

My 85 lb. greyhound (believe me, NO sheltie blood in him) seems to be intolerant of Heartguard Plus. For a few days after giving it to him, he's lethargic, depressed, generally seems to be out of it. It's taken us a while to connect the two. Last week I thought he may have had a mild stroke, as he was just standing outside looking confused, like he didn't know where he was. My wife then mentioned he had had Heartguard a few days before. I've mentioned it to our vet, but was told there are no side effects. This is the first I've heard of an intolerance. We're considering stopping Heartguard as we're afraid it may be harming him.

[Guest IrskasMom]

My Vet suggested not to use Heartguard Plus anymore. Instead we are using Interceptor which supposed to be more effective to more Parasityes (Worms). But I had no ill Sideeffects . The only Thing , he does not like it as much . I have to hide it in something.

Edited January 18, 2010 by IrskasMom