Heartworm Medicine for Dogs

Heartworm disease is a serious condition that affects dogs and cats. Caused by worms that can infect dogs through the bite of an infected mosquito, heartworm can damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels over time. 

While early stages of heartworm infection may not cause noticeable symptoms, dogs may experience symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue, reduced appetite, and weight loss as the disease progresses. In severe and untreated cases, heartworm disease can lead to death.

Since early detection is crucial for effective treatment, it's essential to have your dog tested for heartworm annually. During this test, your veterinarian will take a small blood sample from your dog to check for the presence of heartworm antigens. If your dog tests positive, immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further complications.

Using veterinarian-recommended heartworm prevention medicine for dogs year-round can help keep your pup safe from this potentially devastating illness.

While intestinal dewormers like Panacur C are available without a vet prescription, heartworm medicine for dogs is not available over-the-counter. It requires a prescription from a veterinarian. This is because heartworm medication is potent and needs to be administered correctly to ensure its effectiveness and your pet's safety.

Your veterinarian will assess your dog's health and determine the best heartworm medicine for dogs and dosage based on their individual needs.  Wondering which heartworm medicine for dogs is best? It's typically a matter of preference, as the top brands are scientifically proven effective at preventing heartworm in dogs. A few popular options include Sentinel for Dogs - 6 months (Rx) and Revolution for Puppies and Kittens. 

While heartworm can only be diagnosed using a blood test that requires an in-person visit, a licensed vet from Dutch can help you find the right prescription heartworm medicine for dogs based on your dog's specific needs. Dutch members get free shipping on pharmacy orders and unlimited veterinary appointment follow-ups to ensure your pet's well-being. Browse our online pet pharmacy now to compare your heartworm prevention options.

The best way to prevent heartworm in dogs is to administer heartworm prevention medicine for dogs prescribed by your veterinarian. These preventives typically come in the form of monthly oral medications and are designed to kill heartworm larvae.

Additionally, minimizing exposure to mosquitoes, which transmit heartworm larvae, can help reduce the risk of infection. 

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for yearly heartworm testing and to ensure your pet remains on an appropriate preventive regimen.

If left untreated, heartworm disease can worsen and cause severe and irreversible damage to a dog's heart, lungs, and blood vessels. In advanced stages, untreated heartworm disease can be fatal.