HEARTGARD - Protection to Live

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Heartworm
Life Cycle

What Are Heartworms and How Do Dogs Get Them?

Whether your pet spends lots of time in the great outdoors or rarely ventures out of your own back yard, it's still at risk for exposure to deadly heartworm disease. Heartworms are a nationally-recognized threat to both adult dogs and puppies; fortunately, HEARTGARD^® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) is highly effective in preventing heartworm disease.

Heartworms are parasites that live in the hearts and lungs of infected dogs and puppies. The resulting heartworm disease can cause serious health problems and can eventually lead to heart failure and death.

Heartworm disease has been found in dogs in all 50 States. One reason for the prevalence of these worms in puppies and dogs is that we live in a mobile society – people and their pets travel from place to place, unknowingly taking parasites along for the ride. Thankfully, there's HEARTGARD Plus. When used as directed, HEARTGARD Plus is highly effective in preventing heartworms.

The transmission cycle of the heartworm begins when a mosquito bites an infected dog and feeds on blood that contains tiny immature heartworms. As it feeds, the mosquito takes in the immature heartworms. During the next two to three weeks, these tiny worms develop into larvae (the infective stage of heartworms) within the mosquito. If the infected mosquito bites another dog or puppy, it can transmit infective larvae to that healthy animal.

But, if the dog or puppy is protected with HEARTGARD Plus, the life cycle ends here. HEARTGARD Plus protects against heartworms in puppies and dogs.

Without the use of a heartworm preventive, the heartworm life cycle will continue. Infective larvae enter the dog's body through the mosquito bite, and they continue to develop over the next few months. They migrate through the dog's tissues, eventually reaching the heart and lungs. Once in the dog's heart, the worms may grow to between 7 and 11 inches in length and can cause significant damage to the heart and lungs. If left untreated, heartworm disease may result in death. The life cycle of the heartworm is approximately 6 months.

HEARTGARD is well tolerated. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Following the use of HEARTGARD, digestive and neurological side effects have rarely been reported. For more information, contact your veterinarian or click on Product Information below.

Product Information - Dog Product Information - Cat

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