Can a dog test positive for heartworm and not have treatment?
Once a dog tests positive on an antigen test, the diagnosis should be confirmed with an additional—and different—test. Because the treatment regimen for heartworm is both expensive and complex, your veterinarian will want to be absolutely sure that treatment is necessary.
Does ProHeart 12 protect dogs from heartworms?
Hear what pet parents have to say about what ProHeart does for their dogs, their families, and their peace of mind. See why more vets are recommending ProHeart 12 to protect dogs from heartworm disease year round. How Do Dogs Get Infected With Heartworms? The short answer: mosquitoes.
Is year-round heartworm protection right for your dog?
Year-round protection has a lot of benefits. Hear what pet parents have to say about what ProHeart does for their dogs, their families, and their peace of mind. See why more vets are recommending ProHeart 12 to protect dogs from heartworm disease year round.
Can heartworm in dogs be cured?
No one wants to hear that their dog has heartworm, but the good news is that most infected dogs can be successfully treated. The goal is to first stabilize your dog if he is showing signs of disease, then kill all adult and immature worms while keeping the side effects of treatment to a minimum.
Can you give ProHeart 12 to a heartworm positive dog?
Infected dogs should be treated with an adulticide to remove adult heartworms. ProHeart 12 is not effective against adult D. immitis. Caution should be used when administering ProHeart 12 to heartworm positive dogs (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).
What happens if you give heartworm medicine to a dog with heartworms?
Heartworm preventives do not kill adult heartworms. Also, giving a heartworm preventive to a dog infected with adult heartworms may be harmful or deadly. If microfilariae are in the dog's bloodstream, the preventive may cause the microfilariae to suddenly die, triggering a shock-like reaction and possibly death.
Can ProHeart treat heartworms?
ProHeart 12 is the only FDA-approved product that prevents heartworm disease in dogs for 1 full year with just 1 shot given by your vet. At the time of the shot, ProHeart 12 also treats hookworms. * ProHeart 12 is for use in healthy dogs 12 months of age and older.
Will ProHeart pay for heartworm treatment?
Heartworm Disease Guidelines:If any dog determined by a licensed veterinarian to be free of heartworm infection at the onset of treatment with ProHeart develops heartworm disease, we will provide reimbursement (up to $1000 and the acquisition cost of melarsomine dihydrochloride) associated with the diagnosis and ...
Can a heartworm positive dog be cured?
No one wants to hear that their dog has heartworm, but the good news is that most infected dogs can be successfully treated. The goal is to first stabilize your dog if he is showing signs of disease, then kill all adult and immature worms while keeping the side effects of treatment to a minimum.
Is Sentinel safe for heartworm positive dogs?
Sentinel Spectrum protects like no other Protect your dog against fleas, heartworm and intestinal worms, including tapeworm, with Sentinel 3-in-1† protection. Dogs love the beef and bacon chew, with 97% of dogs accepting them straight from the hand1.
Is there a yearly shot for heartworms?
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 16, 2019 – Zoetis today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ProHeart® 12 (moxidectin), the new once-yearly injection to prevent heartworm disease (caused by Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs 12 months of age and older.
Does ProHeart require heartworm test?
Administer ProHeart to healthy dogs Dogs receiving ProHeart should be tested for existing heartworms. Additional specific diagnostic tests are not required to administer ProHeart. Individual testing may be indicated by attending veterinarian to assess health status.
Why was ProHeart recalled?
In 2004, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Fort Dodge Animal Health (FDAH) voluntarily recalled ProHeart 6 because of CVM's concerns regarding reports of serious ADEs in dogs following use of the drug.
How long can a dog live with heartworms?
In general, however, it is thought that most dogs with heartworm infection will not live more than two years if they do not receive some treatment. However, heartworms can stay in a dog for up to 6 years. If caught early, heartworms can be eradicated from your dog by following a strict treatment routine.
What is the survival rate for dogs with heartworms?
What is the treatment? There is some risk involved in treating dogs with heartworms, although fatalities are rare. "A new drug is available that does not have as many side effects, allowing successful treatment of more than 95% of dogs with heartworms."
Does ProHeart 12 protect against other worms?
ProHeart 12 is currently the only FDA-approved heartworm prevention product that prevents heartworm disease for a full year. It can also treat hookworms at the time of injection.
How long can a dog live with heartworms?
In general, however, it is thought that most dogs with heartworm infection will not live more than two years if they do not receive some treatment. However, heartworms can stay in a dog for up to 6 years. If caught early, heartworms can be eradicated from your dog by following a strict treatment routine.
How long does it take to get rid of heartworms in a dog?
The treatment for heartworm disease takes at least 60 days to complete and consists of a series of drug injections that kills the worms.
How long can a dog have heartworms before showing symptoms?
around 6 monthsHeartworm signs in dogs tend to show up when the worm reaches maturity, typically around 6 months post-implantation. This preventable condition starts when a mosquito bites an animal that's already infected with heartworm.
What are the first signs of heartworms in dogs?
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.
Why do dogs take Heartgard?
Heartgard is a monthly medication that is given to dogs so to prevent heartworm larvae from developing into adults. When you give your dog his monthly Heartgard pill, it is killing all the microfiliaria (the immature forms of the worm) that have been growing in your dog's system in the past 30 days. These larvae are therefore killed ...
How long does it take for worms to go away in dogs?
On top of worms being allowed to continue to cause damage and potential scarring to the dog's heart and lungs, the slow kill method is very long, and even after 18 months, there are risks that it may not eliminate all adult worms.
What is heartgard used for?
Heartgard is also considered a chemoprophylactic drug, meaning that it's a medication administered for the purpose of preventing disease. If you forgot to give your dog's heartworm pill on time, there are chances that if your dog has heartworm larvae, ...
What is the purpose of immiticide injections in dogs?
A series of immiticide injections will be needed to kill the worms before they have a chance to wreck havoc to the dog's body. Immiticide is therefore an adulticide drug, meaning that it's for the most part a pesticide designed to kill adult insects rather than their larvae.
How long does it take for a dog to die from a slow kill?
Another treatment option known as the "slow kill" protocol consists of putting the dog on monthly Heartgard (ivermectin) which will kill only the larvae in the blood stream, while the adults will be killed over the course of 2 to 3 years or even more .
What happens if you don't get your dog tested?
If you don’t get your dog tested, you won’t know your dog needs treatment. ". American Heartworm Society. If you're getting two puppies at once from the same litter, you'll need to be aware of littermate syndrome, also referred to as "sibling syndrome" or sibling rivalry.
Does heartgard kill heartworms?
To kill adult worms, you will need an adulticide drug such as immiticide (melarsomine dihydrochloride). So to recap, heartgard will kill all the potential young heartworm larvae (microfiliaria) who may have been living in your dog's tissues in the past 30 days, preventing them from developing into adults.
When replacing a monthly heartworm preventive product, should ProHeart 12 be given?
When replacing a monthly heartworm preventive product, ProHeart 12 should be given within one month of the last dose of the former medication to avoid a gap in protection. ProHeart 12 eliminates the larval and adult stages of A. caninum and U. stenocephala present at the time of treatment.
How many dogs received ProHeart 12?
A well-controlled field study was conducted, including a total of 593 dogs (297 received two doses of ProHeart 12, 12 months apart and 296 received a monthly oral heartworm preventive as active control) ranging in age from 1 to 14 years. Over the 605-day study period, all observations of potential adverse reactions were recorded.
How long does ProHeart 12 last?
For dogs not previously on heartworm preventive or having lapsed beyond 12 months of a prior ProHeart 12 dose, the product should be given within 1 month of exposure to mosquitoes. Follow-up treatments may be given every 12 months, if the dog continues to be healthy and without weight loss, to provide continuous year-round protection. When replacing a monthly heartworm preventive product, ProHeart 12 should be given within one month of the last dose of the former medication to avoid a gap in protection.
What is Proheart 12?
ProHeart 12 (moxidectin) for extended-release injectable suspension consists of two separate vials: one vial contains 10% moxidectin sterile microspheres; and the second vial contains a specifically formulated sterile vehicle for constitution with the microspheres. A clear or translucent appearance of the vehicle is normal. Each mL of constituted drug product contains 10 mg moxidectin, 9% glyceryl tristearate, 2.25% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 0.81% sodium chloride, 0.16% methylparaben, 0.02% propylparaben and 0.004% butylated hydroxytoluene. Hydrochloric acid is used to adjust pH. The constituted product may appear as a hazy to milky suspension.
How long does it take for a dog to respond to Proheart 12?
Both dogs responded to symptomatic treatment. One dog experienced hives and facial swelling that resolved in 24 hours. The second dog experienced redness and swelling of the face and paws, followed by vomiting, polydipsia, and elevated heart rate and was treated symptomatically. Signs resolved within 4 days. One dog was pre-treated before the second injection of ProHeart 12, and neither dog had a reaction to the second dose 12 months later. One active control-treated dog experienced anaphylactoid/hypersensitivity-related clinical signs within the first 24 hours. The dog was withdrawn from the study prior to the second monthly dose.
Can ProHeart 12 kill dogs?
Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions may occur in some dogs following administration of ProHeart 12 alone or with vaccines. In some cases, these reactions have resulted in death following administration of moxidectin microspheres (see POST-APPROVAL EXPERIENCE ). Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions should be treated immediately with the same measures used to treat hypersensitivity reactions to vaccines and other injectable products.
Is Proheart 12 contraindicated?
ProHeart 12 is contraindicated in animals previously found to be hypersensitive to this drug or ProHeart 6.
Where do heartworms live in dogs?
The heartworms then mature inside your dog, living in major vessels around the heart and even sometimes inside the heart itself.
How long does it take for heartworms to be detected in dogs?
The heartworms then mature inside your dog, living in major vessels around the heart and even sometimes inside the heart itself. It could take longer than 7 months for the heartworms to be detectable with routine testing.
How old is a dog when using Proheart 12?
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Use ProHeart 6 in dogs 6 months of age or older and ProHeart 12 in dogs 12 months of age or older.
How long does ProHeart 12 last?
ProHeart 12 provides 1 full year of heartworm disease prevention in just 1 shot. The active ingredient, moxidectin, is contained in slow-dissolving microspheres that are stored in your dog’s fat-storing connective tissue (a.k.a. adipose tissue). The medicine is then released evenly over 1 year’s time, keeping your buddy consistently protected from heartworms. Cool, right?
What to do if your vet tests positive?
Of course we all hope that won’t happen! But if it does, your vet will want to start by running a different test to confirm the diagnosis. If that test also shows a positive result, your vet will talk with you about a treatment plan.
Is ProHeart 12 safe for dogs?
In three well-controlled studies, ProHeart 12: 2. Was 100% effective against heartworm disease* in dogs. Was demonstrated to be safe for most types of dogs over 12 months, including: Reproducing dogs. Collies sensitive to ivermectin—a common ingredient in monthly heartworm products.
Is heartworm a year round threat for dogs?
It can be tough to remember monthly medications for your dog, and heartworm disease is a year-round threat.
How old is a dog to take Proheart 6?
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Use PROHEART 6 in dogs 6 months of age or older and PROHEART 12 in dogs 12 months of age or older. Do not administer to dogs that are sick, debilitated, underweight, have a history of weight loss, or to those previously found to be hypersensitive to the drug.
What is the difference between ProHeart 12 and ProHeart 6?
ProHeart 12 delivers a full year of heartworm disease prevention with just 1 veterinary-administered injection. ProHeart 6 offers continuous protection against heartworm disease with 2 injections per year.
What is the efficacy of ProHeart 12?
In 3 studies, PROHEART 12 was 100% effective against heartworm disease* for one year. Learn more about efficacy.
Where can I find resources about ProHeart products to share with my staff and clients?
Our Practice Resources provide a wide variety of print and social media resources and tools for you, your staff, and pet owners to help ensure practice success.
Does Zoetis work with ProHeart?
Zoetis will work with you to ensure that you and your clients are satisfied with the performance of ProHeart or we will refund you the purchase price.*
Does ProHeart MOA work?
The unique ProHeart MOA is constantly working to prevent heartworm disease in dogs, and works continuously vs short-term monthly chewables. Slow-dissolving microspheres contain and prolong the effects of moxidectin–which redistributes from plasma to adipose tissue. The adipose tissue acts as a reservoir, allowing efficacy. See ProHeart MOA.
Are ProHeart products safe in special populations?
ProHeart 12 has been evaluated and found safe in female reproducing dogs and their offspring, male reproduc ing dogs, ivermectin-sensitive Collies, or Heartworm-positve dogs and dogs ≥ 12 months of age. Learn more.
When replacing a monthly heartworm preventive product, should ProHeart 12 be given?
When replacing a monthly heartworm preventive product, ProHeart 12 should be given within one month of the last dose of the former medication to avoid a gap in protection. ProHeart 12 eliminates the larval and adult stages of A. caninum and U. stenocephala present at the time of treatment.
How many dogs received ProHeart 12?
A well-controlled field study was conducted, including a total of 593 dogs (297 received two doses of ProHeart 12, 12 months apart and 296 received a monthly oral heartworm preventive as active control) ranging in age from 1 to 14 years. Over the 605-day study period, all observations of potential adverse reactions were recorded.
How long to prepare ProHeart 12?
ProHeart 12 must be prepared at least 30 minutes prior to the first use by adding the sterile vehicle to the microspheres. (See CONSTITUTION PROCEDURES for initial mixing instructions.) Swirl the constituted product vial gently before every use to uniformly re-suspend the microspheres.
How long does ProHeart 12 last?
For dogs not previously on heartworm preventive or having lapsed beyond 12 months of a prior ProHeart 12 dose, the product should be given within 1 month of exposure to mosquitoes. Follow-up treatments may be given every 12 months, if the dog continues to be healthy and without weight loss, to provide continuous year-round protection. When replacing a monthly heartworm preventive product, ProHeart 12 should be given within one month of the last dose of the former medication to avoid a gap in protection.
What is Proheart 12?
ProHeart 12 (moxidectin) for extended-release injectable suspension consists of two separate vials: one vial contains 10% moxidectin sterile microspheres; and the second vial contains a specifically formulated sterile vehicle for constitution with the microspheres. A clear or translucent appearance of the vehicle is normal. Each mL of constituted drug product contains 10 mg moxidectin, 9% glyceryl tristearate, 2.25% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 0.81% sodium chloride, 0.16% methylparaben, 0.02% propylparaben and 0.004% butylated hydroxytoluene. Hydrochloric acid is used to adjust pH. The constituted product may appear as a hazy to milky suspension.
How long does it take for a dog to respond to Proheart 12?
Both dogs responded to symptomatic treatment. One dog experienced hives and facial swelling that resolved in 24 hours. The second dog experienced redness and swelling of the face and paws, followed by vomiting, polydipsia, and elevated heart rate and was treated symptomatically. Signs resolved within 4 days. One dog was pre-treated before the second injection of ProHeart 12, and neither dog had a reaction to the second dose 12 months later. One active control-treated dog experienced anaphylactoid/hypersensitivity-related clinical signs within the first 24 hours. The dog was withdrawn from the study prior to the second monthly dose.
Can ProHeart 12 be administered concurrently?
Caution should be used when administering ProHeart 12 concurrently with vaccinations. Adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported following the concomitant use of moxidectin microspheres and vaccinations (see WARNINGS and POST-APPROVAL EXPERIENCE ).
What Does It Mean If a Dog Is Heartworm-Positive?
It means that a dog has been found to be infested with Dirofilaria immitis, the organism that causes heartworm disease in dogs. This is a large worm with a six-to-seven-month life cycle that ultimately ends up living in the heart and pulmonary vessels.
Adopting a Heartworm-Positive Dog
A diagnosis of heartworm disease is not a death sentence, although for reasons not always understood, for some heartworm-positive dogs, the disease is fatal. Heartworm-positive dogs often go unnoticed or unwanted in the shelter, for no other reason than the stigma that they are either extremely sick or have behavior problems.
Adopting a Heartworm-Positive Dog FAQS
Yes. If heartworm disease is caught early and treated appropriately, your dog may go on to have a good-quality life. Unfortunately, some dogs may experience undesirable consequences either from treatment or from the disease itself, and may end up with lifelong complications.
Description
Proheart 12 Indications
- ProHeart 12 is indicated for use in dogs 12 months of age and older for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitisfor 12 months. ProHeart 12 is indicated for the treatment of existing larval and adult hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala)infections.
Proheart 12 Dosage and Administration
- Always provide Client Information Sheet and review with owners before administering ProHeart 12. The owner should be advised to observe their dog for adverse drug events including those described on the sheet. The Client Information Sheet is attached to this package insert and available online at http://www.proheart12.com for reprinting to provide to the owner. Frequency …
Risk Minimization Action Plan
- The ProHeart 12 and ProHeart 6 Risk Minimization Action Plan (RiskMAP) provides educational materials to the veterinarian, veterinary staff, and the dog owner explaining the risks and proper use of ProHeart 12 and ProHeart 6. ProHeart 12 and ProHeart 6 are the same formulation, but ProHeart 12 is three times the concentration of ProHeart 6. ProHeart 12 and ProHeart 6 are for …
Contraindications
- ProHeart 12 is contraindicated in animals previously found to be hypersensitive to this drug or ProHeart 6.
Human Warnings
- Not for human use. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. If contact with your skin occurs, wash thoroughly with water. May be irritating to the eyes. If product accidentally gets into your eyes, flush eyes thoroughly with water. In case of accidental ingestion, or if skin or eye irritation occurs, contact a Poison Control Center or physician for treatment advice and show th…
Warnings
- Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions may occur in some dogs following administration of ProHeart 12 alone or with vaccines. In some cases, these reactions have resulted in death following administration of moxidectin microspheres (see POST-APPROVAL EXPERIENCE). Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions should be treated immediately with the same measur…
Precautions
- Prior to administration of ProHeart 12, the health of the patient should be assessed by a thorough medical history, physical examination and diagnostic testing as indicated (see WARNINGS). Caution should be used when administering ProHeart 12 in dogs with pre-existing allergic disease, including food allergy, atopy, and flea allergy dermatitis. (see WARNINGS). Caution should be us…
Adverse Reactions
- A well-controlled field study was conducted, including a total of 593 dogs (297 received two doses of ProHeart 12, 12 months apart and 296 received a monthly oral heartworm preventive as active control) ranging in age from 1 to 14 years. Over the 605-day study period, all observations of potential adverse reactions were recorded. Table 2: Number of Dogs* with Adverse Reaction…
Information For Dog Owners
- Always provide Client Information Sheet and review with owners before administering ProHeart 12. Owners should be advised of the potential for adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, and be informed of the clinical signs associated with drug toxicity (see WARNINGS, ADVERSE REACTIONS and POST-APPROVAL EXPERIENCEsections.) Owners should be advised to contac…