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You need to be careful when choosing which heartworm prevention medication that you give your dog, given the seriousness of a heartworm infestation.

For example, Proheart Six, a heartworm prevention medicine released in 2001 with one injection administered every six months. Seemingly providing a worry free way of taking care of heartworm prevention twice yearly, it came under close scrutiny from the FDA in the USA after more than 5,000 reports of adverse reactions were received, including 415 deaths.

The FDA investigated and figures show the number of deaths per year caused by adverse reactions to ProHeart 6 were much higher than monthly heartworm medications. On average of 138 deaths a year compared with as few as 6 for Heartgard heartworm protection and Sentinel. (Source FDA: As of 05/03/2004)

Without wanting to scare any pet owners out there, it’s wise to remind people that giving any kind of dogs heartworm control can cause allergic reactions. In the worst case scenario, they might result in the death of your pet.

Here are the facts from the 2004 FDA source: Revolution heartworm protection averaged 36 deaths a year and more than eight and a half thousand reactions, so although the number of reactions was almost twice that of Proheart 6, the drug has been on the market longer so the average number of reactions was similar to Proheart 6, but the death rate of Proheart 6 was over three times as many.

Revolution is not necessarily unsafe. The high numbers of deaths are partially due to its very widespread use, however you should still educate yourself on the facts. Only 214 negative reactions were caused by Interceptor for canines, which is eight times less than Revolution. Interceptor averages a mere nine deaths per year, compared to ProHeart Six’s average of 138.

From 1995 to 2004, Interceptor heart worm protection was reported to have a mere 84 deaths throughout the entire 9 years. Reported during that time, Heartgard averaged 6 deaths from 355 adverse reactions. Heartgard chewables contain ivermectin as a heartworm protection.

The parasite, flea and heartworm medication with the fewest adverse reactions and deaths is Sentinel. From 1999 to 2004, fewer than 900 adverse reactions were caused by this heartworm prevention treatment for dogs, averaging 233 per year in comparison with 1737 reactions caused by Revolution heartworm treatment, and the total number of deaths reported was 25, or an average of 6 per year.

ProHeart 6 should only be used for preventative heartworm control, and should not be used if heartworms have already become established. Monthly heartworm prevention and treatment is a popular choice, but numerous vets maintain that Proheart is safe. In 2007 Proheart 6 was still on the market as a heartworm prevention medicine despite the fact that it was recalled in September 2004.

Of course you want what is best for your pet as it is a family member, not a statistical reading, however these adverse reactions in which you have been informed of are from millions of dogs throughout the world and are considerably low. If you are concerned about your pets health, choosing prevention is the best action for you. Discuss your options with your vet and ask all the questions in which you deem necessary.

The devastating effect of heartworms in dogs should not be underestimated. Your pet can be spared pain and health problems with a simple monthly heartworm preventive medicine.

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