7 Different Types of Heartworm Pills for Dogs

There are many available options for heartworm pills for dogs. Most veterinarians offer seven brands, generics and brand names.

1. Advantage Multi

Advantage Multi is a monthly prescription medication used topically. The medication kills:

  • immature heartworms
  • fleas
  • hookworms
  • roundworms

The medication within Advantage Multi is imidacloprid, a substance that causes paralysis and eventual death in parasites. While generally safe in dogs older than seven weeks of age, herding dogs seem to be more susceptible to severe reactions. Do not use on dogs weighing less than three pounds.

2. Heartgard Brand Heartworm Medication

Heartgard and Heartgard Plus come in beef-flavored chewable tablets. The medications are safe in puppies older than six weeks. Give the beef chewable to your dog on the same day of every month for best results.

Heartgard kills immature heartworms through the use of ivermectin. Ivermectin paralyzes the parasite leading to its death. Heartgard Plus adds pyrantel pamoate that kills hookworms and roundworms.

3. Interceptor

Interceptor heartworm pills provides protection from a variety of worms. The chewable, beef-flavored tablets are safe for puppies four weeks or older. Do not use the monthly medication in dogs or puppies weighing less than three pounds.

The active ingredient in Interceptor, milbemycin oxime, affects nerve function in the parasite causing its death. Interceptor kills immature heartworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.

4. Iverhart Max

Iverhart Max protects against more than heartworm. The prescription monthly heartworm pills are safe for puppies older than seven weeks. As it has never been tested in pregnant or nursing dogs, you may want to find a heartworm medication that has been proven safe for unborn puppies.

Ingredients in Iverhart Max include ivermectin, praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. The medicine in the chewable tablets kills immature heartworm, hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms, your dog benefits from advanced protection.

5. Revolution for Dogs

Revolution is a topical monthly medication that treats:

  • heartworms
  • hookworms
  • roundworms
  • fleas
  • ticks
  • mites

Your pet benefits from well-rounded protection against a variety of parasites. Because it protects against a variety of parasites, year-round use is recommended.

The active ingredient, selamectin, impairs the parasite's nervous system leading to death. Revolution is safe for puppies seven weeks and older. It's also safe for pregnant or nursing dogs.

6. Sentinel for Dogs

Sentinel flavor tabs protect against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. They also offer protection against fleas. The chewable heartworm pills are beef flavored and safe in puppies as young as four weeks. The heartworm medication is also safe in pregnant and nursing dogs. Make sure your dog takes the medication monthly to maintain protection throughout the mosquito season.

Active ingredients in Sentinel are milbemycin oxime and lufenuron. While milbemycin oxime impairs nerve function leading to the parasitic worm's death, lufenuron prevents eggs from hatching.

7. Tri-Heart Generic Heartworm Pills

Tri-Heart Plus is a generic form of Heartgard Plus that prevents heartworms, hookworms and roundworms. The chewable pills offer the same medication found in Heartgard Plus, but cost up to 30 percent less than their brand-name comparison.

Tri-Heart Plus is safe in puppies older than six weeks and also safe for pregnant and nursing dogs. The medication comes in a beef-flavored chewable that must be given monthly.

 

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