A few examples of how the coupons look like:

Here’s the little known coupon for Heartgard Plus link from the official Heartgard web site for you to get a heartworm medication discount.

http://heartgard.us.merial.com/downloads/coupon_page.pdf 

Heartworm medication is used to prevent the development of heartworms into a potentially deadly condition. Most advanced cases of heartworm disease in dogs have been treated with success, but the overall process is a burden for both pet owner and pet. Heartworm medication is also helpful for those looking to avoid reinfection in their pets. In the United States, there are no approved heartworm treatments for cats. While they seem more resistant to heartworm than dogs, a great deal of felines encounters a life-threatening shock to the natural removal of dead worms. To prevent this hazard, medication assists pets in preventing this occurrence from taking place.

Do Dogs Need Heartworm Medicine?

Pursuing heartworm medication for a pet, especially when it comes to dogs is well worth the effort. While heartworm is a dangerous disease, it is also preventable. Best of all – most heartworm medications are safe, easy to administer, and don’t cost an arm and a leg. It is in the best interest of your pet that you choose prevention methods and most importantly for dogs, as there face no effective remedy for heartworm disease. In dogs, treatment is possible, but the overall process is expensive and difficult. Infected dogs take weeks and sometimes months before they reach the point of full recovery.

On the market, daily and monthly tablets, topicals, and chewables are available for both dogs and cats. For example, the chewable form of Heartgard comes in flavored and non-flavored chewables that are extremely effective when given on a routine basis. Overall, heartworm medications work to eliminate the development of heartworm before they reach the adult stage that is responsible for attacking the lungs and heart, and causing disease. According to the American Heartworm Society, pet owners are encouraged to embrace year-round prevention methods in order to control the threat of heartworm disease.

Heartworm Medication and Dogs

While the heartworm disease in dogs is caused by the same parasite (Dirofilaria immitis) that affects cats, both groups of animals respond differently to the potential condition that may follow. Dogs possess a very high susceptibility to the infection, where nearly all dogs exposed to infected larvae will become infected. Cats face between a 61% to 90% chance of developing the disease when exposed to infected larvae. The worms in dogs last longer (five to seven years) when compared to the two- to three-year life span in cats.

Sometimes, a dog will encounter an ectopic infection, while this is not common in cats. In infected dogs, it is not unusual to locate more than 30 worms in their body, while cats most commonly become infected with one to two. The lungs and heart of the dog are most at threat with heartworm disease. In the end, heartworm medication becomes most vital in combating this potentially fatal disease in cats, whereas the size of the dog, number of worms, and level of exercise will play an important role in the severity of heartworm in canines. However, to avoid the costly treatment regimen for dogs, prevention is highly suggested for both the pet owner and dog.

The Difference Between Heartgard and Heartgard Plus

Heartgard Tablets aim to prevent heartworm disease in both cats and dogs. The tablets accommodate a wide-range of animal needs, including the rare instance of an animal possessing a beef allergy. The level of safety for all sizes and breeds of dog has captured the attention of many pet owners, who take note of its approved status for treating puppies as young as six weeks old, small breeds, pregnant or nursing dogs, stud dogs, as well as Collies, who have shown a noticeable susceptibility to heartworm.

In cats, Heartgard offers a once-a-month chewable tablet that assists in the removal and control of hookworms and heartworms. The product has received a satisfying seal of approval for cats of any weight – six weeks of age and older.

Heartgard does not contain wheat gluten and lacks the questionable ingredients that have plagued many other brands of pet products in the United States. Overall, Heartgard has been used as an effective anthelminthic (better known as a dewormer) that prevents heartworm disease in dogs and cats, which also benefit from the control of hookworm. In order for a dog to enjoy the advantages of hookworm and roundworm protection – the consumption of Heartgard Plus (with pyrantel pamoate) is required.

Both products work to prevent the presence of heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) in a pet, but also eradicate the tissue stage of a worm – hindering its advancement to a harmful stage. However, it is Heartgard Plus that provides the added protection against other health threats. The use of Heartgard Plus has become a favorite amongst veterinarians when it comes to preventing heartworm disease, where pet owners find comfort in the extra protection against roundworm and hookworm in dogs.

The Use of Heartgard Products

In order to bring home the effectiveness of Heartgard products, a pet owner receives a prescription for unflavored or flavored chewable tablets for Heartgard or flavored chewable Heartgard Plus tablets. For the prevention of heartworm disease, Heartgard products are given to pets one time per month throughout the course of an entire year.

A typical Heartgard dose for a dog weighing up to 25 pounds is 68mcg; 136mcg for dogs weighing between 26 and 50 pounds; and 272mcg for canines weighing between 51 and 100 pounds. If your loyal companion weighs more than 100 pounds, a combination of tablets is administered. The typical Heartgard dose for cats weighing five pounds or less is 55mcg, whereas cats between the weight of six and 15 pounds will take a dose consisting of 165mcg.

It is important to keep in mind that the chewable tablets are meant for chewing. A pet should not swallow their dose whole. If your pet has a habit of swallowing their treats whole, it is advised to break the tablet into small pieces. Additionally, some pet owners avoid year-round dosing and prefer to administer the medication during the mosquito season and for the following month after this time period ends.

Possible Side Effects

When taking Heartgard products, the possibility of side effects are rare. However, dogs that take higher doses may experiences tremors, dilated pupils, and weight loss. Cats face the rare risk of decreased appetite, dilated pupils, tremors, blindness, and disorientation.

It is also suggested to have your pet tested for a heartworm infection before starting any medication. While a cat can safely take medication even when infected with heartworm – remember that a dog requires treatment before prevention.

Being a cat lover certainly has some health benefits for us humans, they help lower our stress levels which in turns reduces are risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Since they do so much for our health don’t you think that we should return the favor?

Owning a healthy cat is one of life’s great pleasures and even though they love to be outside enjoying their surrounding there are some things that they need protecting from. You see when your cat is out enjoying nature, mosquitoes are enjoying them and unless your cat is properly protected then they are at risk for an insidious disease called heartworm.

Heartworm is a disease that is properly named; if your cat becomes infected, worms actually grow around their heart. The treatment for heartworm is very costly and the diseases is often times fatal because it is a silent diseases and then once it is found it will require surgery to actually remove the worms from around the heart.

Fortunately you can completely avoid having this problem if you use the heartworm preventive medicine call Heartgard Chewables for cats. This medicine can be used for cats that are six weeks or older. It is bite-sized and chewable and most cats will eat it directly out of your hand like they would a treat. Before you begin this treatment you will need to have some blood work done at your veterinarians to make sure that heartworms are not already present.

Once your cat has been cleared then you will begin giving them their Heartgard Chewables each month. It is important to try and give your cat its treatment each month on the same day. This is because each dose last 30 days and any lapse in treatment will leave your cat exposed to getting the disease.

Heartgard Chewables for cats comes in two different doses and is determined by their weight. The first dose available is for cats weighing 1 to 5 pounds. Then the next dose available is for cats that weigh more than 5 pounds but less than 15 pounds.

There are very few side effects seen in cats that use this treatment. The most common side effect is an upset stomach. Some more sensitive cats may experience vomiting or diarrhea shortly after treatment. However, this medicine is generally well tolerated by the vast majority of cats.

Heartgard Chewables for cats can be purchased in a 6 month supply. They are bubbled wrapped and include monthly stickers that you can use on your calendar as a reminder of when to give your cat its treatment.

The treatment will cost approximately $34 for a six month supply and that is for either the 1-5 lbs doses or the 5-15 lbs doses. If your cat weighs more than 15 lbs then you will use a combination of doses to make sure that your cat receives the proper amount of medication.

One of the best things that you can do for your cat is to make sure that it receives Heartgard Chewables for cats once a month. It is an easy and cost effective way to make sure that your cat never becomes infected with heartworms.

What is Heartgard?

Heartgard is widely regarded as the best heartworm medication for pets. Heartgard, manufactured by Merial, is known as a anthelminthic, which is medication for heartworm (dewormer). It uses the active ingredient ivermectin, which is used for the treatment of worms in dogs and cats. Heartgard is also used for controlling hookworms in cats, while Heartgard Plus, that contains both ivermectin and pyrantel is used for protecting against heartworms as well as both hookworms and roundworms in dogs.

To prevent heartworm in pets, one dose is to be administered each month of the year, unless directed otherwise by your pet’s veterinarian. The usual dosage instructions will depend on the weight of your pet, with larger animals needing a combination of doses to be effective.

The Various Types of Heartgard Medicine

Heartgard is available in either a 6 month or 12 month supply in either unflavored tablets, or flavored chewable tables, while Heartgard Plus is available in beef-flavored chewable tablets.

Heartgard and Heartgard Plus are available in three different dosages based on weight:

• 0 – 25 pounds
• 26 – 50 pounds
• 51 – 100 pounds
• Over 100 pounds

Is Heartgard Really Necessary for My Pet?

Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition that’s much easier prevented than it is treated. Many pet owners are confused as to whether or not their dog or cat needs continual preventative medication for warding off heartworm disease. In some locations, the threat of mosquito larvae is actually a year-round concern, while in some places, the medicine may not be necessary in the winter months. Your vet should have the correct information based on your location as to whether or not your pet needs continual protection.

Where to Buy Heartgard

To purchase Heartgard medication for your pet, a prescription from a licensed veterinarian will be required by any legitimate retailer or supplier of pet medication. Besides your own vet, there are numerous retailers online, many of which offer considerable discounts as opposed to brick-and-mortar companies.

Storing Heartgard Medication

It is recommended to store your pet’s Heartgard medicine in its original packaging to avoid forgetting a dose or administering an overdose. The tablets should remain in their wrapper until it’s time to give the dose to your pet. Many people choose to give their pets their dosage on the first of every month for an easier way of remembering when it’s time.

Special Precautions and Side Effects of Heartworm Treatments

Some breeds, such as the Collie and its related breeds, may have a higher sensitivity to the ingredient ivermectin, although the preventative monthly dosage is relatively low and rarely causes side effects even in these particular breeds.

Overall, side effects from Heartgard medication are very rare when taken at the correct dosage. In the event of an overdose, contact your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency facility as soon as possible.

The symptoms of an overdose in felines may include tremors, being uncoordinated or unable to walk normally, disorientation, dilated pupils and blindness. For canines, overdose symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and incoordination.

Buying medication every month, especially if you have more than one pet, can soon become quite an expense, leaving pet owners to ponder the differences between Heartgard and generic heartworm medications.

When comparing the brand Heartgard manufactured by Merial and its various products to generic heartworm medicine, there are several factors to keep in mind in addition to the initial price. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves medications for pets as well as for humans. When buying either a generic or a name brand heartworm medicine, check to see that the product is FDA registered and approved to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

There are some generic medications that may utilize the metric system regarding dosage amounts. Extra care should be taken when determining how much to give your pet to avoid either an under or overdose.

While economically beneficial, generic medicine that uses fillers, or other ingredients that are not also listed on the brand-name product, may not be as effective for your pet regardless of the lower price.

Generic Heartgard Blue Alternative for smaller dogs weighing under 25 pounds (11 kg) contains the same anti-parasitic medicine as the non-generic version, ivermectin, which protects against heartworms by killing their larvae. Generic Heartgard Blue Alternative is safe for both pregnant or breeding bitches and is available in a six month supply pack, which contains six tablets, and usually sells for about $13 USD.

For medium-sized dogs weighing 25 to 50 pounds (11-23 kg), Generic Heartgard Green Alternative is also available in a six month supply of the meat-flavored tablets for about $16. Generic Heartgard Brown Alternative for larger dogs between 50 and 100 pounds (23-45 kg) also contains ivermectin and sells for around $20.

Tri-Heart Plus, is another oral heartworm medication similar in price to the generic versions of Heartgard that contains two active ingredients, ivermectin and pyrantel. Besides causing the death of heartworm larvae, dirofilaria immitis, the pork-flavored Tri-Heart Plus, which is FDA-approved, also kills intestinal worms in both dogs and puppies over the age of six weeks.

The Heartgard Plus beef-flavored tables also use the ingredients ivermectin along with pyrantel to prevent heartworms, and treat and control kill roundworms, either toxacara canis or toxacara leonina, and hookworms, either ancylostoma caninum, ancylostoma braziliense, or uncinaria stenocephala.

For dogs under 25 pounds, a six month supply of Heartgard Plus is generally between $25 and $30, approximately $34 for medium dogs, and $40 for a half-year’s supply for large dogs.

Of course, your pet’s own vet will be able to offer their advice and recommendations as to which type of product you should give to your dog as they know their personal health history. Also, a prescription from a licensed veterinarian is required for purchasing both generic and Heartgard heartworm medicine, as well as an examination to ensure that in infection isn’t already present before beginning treatment.

What is Heartgard for Dogs?

Heartgard is a preventive medicine given to your dog to prevent the mosquito transmitted disease known as heartworm. Before beginning a treatment program with your dog you will need to take the dog to your veterinarian and have a blood test to make sure that your dog is not currently infected with heartworms. Once they determine that there is no heartworm infestation then you will begin treatment.

Heartgard for dogs is given once a month and you should try giving it to your dog on the same day of each month. This is because the treatments are more effective when the doses are given within a 30 day period. The medicine comes in small bite sized pieces and is flavored so that your dog will actually eat them from your hand, you will not have to worry about trying to force the medicine down their throat because they actually like the taste of it.

There are three different strengths of medicine that Heartgard offers for dogs. The dosing will depended on how much your dog weighs. The first dosage is for dogs that weigh less than 25 pounds, the next dosage is for dogs over 25 pounds but less than 50 pounds, and then for your large dog you have the over 51 pounds and up to 100 pounds. It is important to choose the correct dosage not enough medicine will be just as bad as them not receive any at all.

Does My God Require Heartgard?

The answer is yes. Any dog that is an area that has mosquitoes needs to have monthly treatment for preventing heartworm. Once a dog is infested with heartworms it is very hard to treat them for it and the disease is more often than not fatal to the dog. That is because treatment actually requires surgery to physically remove the worms from around your dog’s heart.

Benefits of Using Heartgard

The biggest benefit for using Heartgard is that it is a simple and effective way to prevent the insidious disease of heartworms. Dogs love the taste of it so it is easy to give it to them and it is relatively inexpensive. You can purchase it in a 6 month supply or some veterinarians will let you by them one dose at a time.

Are There Any Side Effects?

As with any medicine there are some dogs that will have reactions to the medication. During testing Collie-like breeds seem to be more sensitive than other breeds. The reactions for dogs can range from mild stomach discomfort to diarrhea and vomiting. Heartgard for dogs is now wheat-free so sensitivities are down even more.

Using Heartgard for dogs is the best preventive medicine for avoiding heartworms. It is easy to give your dog and for a 6 month supply it will only cost you from $25 to $40 depending on the doses needed. Keeping your dog’s heart healthy will give you and your dog many worry free years together.

Heartgard’s active ingredient is an anti-parasitic medication called Ivermectin. In addition to this ingredient, Heartgard Plus also contains Pyrantel, which helps it in the control of other parasites in dogs and cats. Dosage is based on the animal’s weight, since these medications can cause side effects and even death in extremely large doses. Fortunately, it’s easy to be sure that you’re giving your dog or cat the right amount of Heartgard. Just choose the color coded package that lists your pet’s weight, and you won’t have to worry about side effects or under dosage. If you’re not sure which is right for your animal, ask your veterinarian for more information.

It can be hard to get pets to take their medications, but it’s easy to convince them to take their Heartgard. This is because there are two options available: unflavored and chewable beef flavored tablets. Dogs and cats approve of the texture and taste of flavored Heartgard, and are more likely to take it than many other medications. Remember that you’ll need to give your dog or cat a maintenance dose once every month to protect him or her from heartworms. If you have a very young pet, you may still be able to use Heartgard. Puppies and kittens six weeks or older are able to take this medication without side effects, and it’s safe for nursing or pregnant females, too.

You can get Heartgard directly from your vet, or order it online from a pet supply retailer. Many people wonder if they can get this great medication without a prescription. Unfortunately, since Heartgard can be dangerous to pets in the wrong dosage, reputable stores won’t sell it to you without your vet’s approval. However, this is easy to get. Just go to the vet and ask about Heartgard for your pet. Chances are, you’ll easily get a prescription or the medication itself, and will be able to protect your pet from heartworm. If you do find a place that will sell you Heartgard without a prescription, be very careful to get the right medication for your pet. Otherwise, you could make him or her very ill, instead of better! Remember, when in doubt, talk to your veterinarian.

The active ingredient in Heartgard is Ivermectin, a common anti-parasitic medication used in many types of animals. Heartgard Plus also contains an additional medicine, pyrantel. Since Heartgard comes in a chewable, beef flavored form, it’s not hard to get your pet to take their medicine! Dogs tend to prefer Heartgard’s taste and texture to those of other brands, because of the inclusion of beef. It’s necessary to dose your pet once a month, all year to provide effective protection against heartworm.

Remember to purchase the variety of Heartgard or Heartgard Plus for your dog’s weight. An overdose of Ivermectin or other anti-parasitic medications can have neurological side effects. This usually only occurs in very high concentrations, but can include weight loss, dilated pupils, tremors, and even death if the dose is wrong. Not enough medication, and parasites can start to invade. Because of this, you’ll need a vet’s prescription to buy Heartgard, even if you buy it online. Fortunately, Heartgard comes in color coded packages that allow you to easily decide which product is right for your pet. There’s even Heartgard for cats. You can use this medication if your puppy or kitten is older than six weeks old, but younger animals may suffer from side effects of the medications. It’s also safe for females that are pregnant or nursing.

Prices for Heartgard vary, especially if you get it from your vet. Another option for getting this useful medication for your pet is ordering it online (if you can show a prescription from a veterinarian). Packages of six tablets or chewables can be found for as little as twenty dollars. A year’s supply generally costs between thirty and fifty dollars, or a little more for large dogs. Shopping around can help you find the best price on Heartgard, but be sure to take handling and shipping into account when you buy. Heartgard is a great way to protect your pet from potentially fatal heartworm infections. Talk to your veterinarian today to find out more about this product.