Heartworm prevention in dogs
Heartworm is a serious problem in dogs. Prevention is key. Heartworm prevention medication is available in a variety of forms. Your veterinarian can guide you to the right one for your dog depending on its age, health and lifestyle.
The most effective way to prevent heartworm in your dog is to administer the medication monthly and year-round. It is important to protect your dog against heartworm larvae during winter when mosquitoes are not as active. Heartworm prevention medications do not kill adult heartworms, but only stop heartworm larvae developing into adults.
Your veterinarian can guide you in choosing the right heartworm medication for your dog. Heartworm prevention is available in oral or chewable tablets, topical liquids and injectable solutions.
Heartworm prevention for dogs is most commonly done by using oral heartworm preventatives. The pills are easy to administer and usually taste good, so the dogs are happy to take them. The majority of oral heartworm preventions also protects against other parasites such as hookworms and roundworms.