Which Heartworm Treatment is best for my Pooch?
Spring is just round the corner with the fag end of winter. This is also the time when heartworms are at their peak. But with so many heartworm prevention treatments available in the market it becomes very difficult to select the best treatment for your pooch. Hence, we have tried to describe the difference between these two heartworm preventive treatments for your dogs.
Considered to be one of the best heartworm preventives available for dogs Heartgard Plus Chewables is a treat for your pooch. It comes in a soft meaty chew that is loved by dogs. This treatment can be given to dogs older than 6 weeks of age. Being a monthly treatment, it is very useful to prevent heartworms from affecting the lives of your pet. There are two active ingredients in this ingenious treatment – Ivermectin and Pyrantel pamoate. The combined effect of both these ingredients kills heartworm larvae and destroys intestinal worms. They kill parasites by causing spastic muscle paralysis. Heartgard Plus Chewables are tailor-made to kills worms that have already begun to live in your pet.
Sentinel Spectrum Tasty Chews
Sentinel is an oral heartworm preventive that needs to be given to your dog on a monthly basis. It does not contain Ivermectin hence; it is good for those dogs that are allergic towards Ivermectin. Milbemycin Oxime, an active ingredient present in this chewable disrupts worms’ nervous system, and cause death. It eliminates the immature stage of the heartworm larvae and the adult stage of hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. It also contains lufenuron, an insect development inhibitor, which breaks the flea life cycle by inhibiting flea egg development. It prevents flea eggs from hatching and thus prevents and controls flea infestation by breaking the flea life cycle. There are pet owners who think that Sentinel can kill fleas, but that is not true. They can only sterilize them, which makes them unable to reproduce.
It can be very difficult to select the best heartworm treatment for your dog. But with careful scrutinization you can find the right option that is suitable for your pet. If heartworms are a major threat in the area where you reside, it is best to give the proper dosage of the heartworm preventive treatment year round. It has been found that mosquito repellent cannot prevent heartworm disease. In addition to this, it is recommended to ask your veterinarian to perform heartworm test on your pooch once a year. If you find that your pet has tested positive then it is better to continue with the treatment for the best interests of your pooch.
