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Cheap heartworm pills

Many more dog owners choose to give their dogs heartworm treatment. Whether this is because of the rise in mosquito numbers or a more widespread concern over the effects of adult heartworms on dogs, more people are choosing to treat against this problem.

Generic heartworm pills for dogs

Although there are a number of different heartworm pills available, the prices vary quite drastically.

Heartgard Plus is by far the most popular option, but it is not the cheapest.

Buying cheap heartworm pills could mean buying a brand you are not aware of yet, but the cheaper option may mean the difference between using a treatment or not.

This is especially true for people who have multiple dogs to look after. Pet meds can be expensive when trying to care for more than one animal.

By using a generic instead of a well-known brand, we can make some significant savings.

The best selling generic treatment available is Valuheart. At under $20 for a six-months supply, it means that our dogs can be treated for a low price and kept completely safe. As far as cheap heartworm pills go, this is a very good and safe option.

Valuheart contains the exact same active ingredient as Heartgard, which is Ivermectin. The dosage is exactly the same and we will get exactly the same benefits as using the more well-known Heartgard.

We may not be getting the same fancy packaging and the advertising budget is certainly a lot lower, but the medication is half the price.

Treating heartworm all year

Pomeranian

People are now treating their dogs every month of the year rather than only for the time of the year when mosquitoes are most likely to be present.

Of course, this depends on where you live. If you are in a part of the country that has snow and cold weather for a significant part of the year, then you do not need a year round treatment.

For milder climates though, people are deciding to treat each month because of the savings and peace of mind.

To ensure a dog’s safety, the dog must be cleared by a vet before her owner can give her a heartworm prevention treatment if she has not had a dose in the last 3 months or more.

Considering it will only cost ten dollars or so to give cheap pills for that period, the price of continuing treatment all year is much lower than the visit to the vets that would otherwise be required.

Of course, all this depends on your views about giving medications to your pets, but it is something to consider.

And if you do not need to buy a heartworm treatment that combines the treatment of heartworms with other common problems such as intestinal worms or flea control, then using a generic such as Valuheart, Proheart or Nuheart is a very good alternative.

As a side note, anyone who has difficulty getting their dog to take a tablet, however well disguised in a tasty treat it is, then you will be pleased to know tha Nuheart is totally soluble and can simply be mixed with a little water and added to the dog’s regular meal.

For more info, see the post Is heartworm prevention necessary year round?

Sheilah

Saturday 11th of April 2020

I would like to know if it you all think it is ok to divide heartworm tablets(not the chews). My first vet(now retired) told me I could split the tablet for a 100 lb dog up four ways for my small dogs (Pomeranians) weighing about 10-12 lbs. I always felt fine doing this because I knew my dogs were not near the 25 lb. cut off. However, the vet that I have now says she feels uncomfortable writing a prescription for heartworm tablets for my pomeranians at the 100 lb dosage. She says that when the pharmacy asks for the dog's weight she is afraid she will get into trouble. I even explained to the pharmacy what I was doing (I have seven Pomeranians), and the lady there said she did the same thing. My vet also said she was afraid the generic version might not offer the same protection as the Interceptor I had been doing. I know my vet is not just trying to sell me the higher price at her practice, because she spent a lot of time trying to come up with prices she could sell me close to what it would be if I split up the tablets. However, I feel bad making her discount prices down, and it is a hassle to have to go through this each time with her staff and if prices go up. Also, how is it that some Heartworm can be sold without a prescription and others cannot? Thank you for your input.

Lindsay Stordahl

Saturday 11th of April 2020

I'm sure it's fine but I wouldn't do it without a vet's approval personally.

Shay

Tuesday 10th of November 2009

Dave,

Thanks for the info about Advantage Multi. I'll look into it.

As for deworming, we are giving her Panacur C. However, the costs do add up. Our vet has prescribed three cycles of the drug of 3 days each, and since our dog weighs close to 70 lbs, it is more than a few dollars for 9 doses for a dog that size.

Beyond the drug cost (and I'm sure we'll do a follow-up stool sample check once the third cycle is complete too), taking the medication has had some side effects. Nothing too horrible such as an allergic reaction, but it has led to stomach/digestive discomfort. All in all, it's just not something we want to repeat.

Lindsay Stordahl

Tuesday 10th of November 2009

Thanks Marie. I had no idea.

Marie

Tuesday 10th of November 2009

Lindsay, I know I'm not Cynthia, but I can answer your question about why we don't give Ivermectin to Collies, or in my case to the Shelties. It is because of a drug sensitivity called MDR1. It is common in the herding breeds. Even though not all dogs in these breeds are affected, many of us just avoid those drugs in general as a precauation. This website gives more information about MDR1 and a list of drugs that can be a problem. http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcpl/ Hope this answers your question. It sounds like Dave has some good options for those that have special needs.

Lindsay Stordahl

Tuesday 10th of November 2009

Thanks for answering those questions, Dave!