Canine heartworm, an infestation of adult worms within the right side of a dog's heart, is a devastating disease that can lead to heart, lung and other organ failure. While the disease is difficult and expensive to treat and often fatal, the key to preventing canine heartworm remains relatively easy: the administration of preventive medications on a regular basis. U.S. regulations require a prescription for heartworm medications, but there are ways to order non-prescription treatments online.
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Significance
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Canine heartworm is spread by mosquitoes infected with heartworm larvae. While some areas of the country report greater concentrations of heartworm infections than others, the disease has been reported in 50 states, according to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), and each year spreads to new areas. In light of these facts, the AHS recommends that all dogs be evaluated for the disease and given medications no matter where they live, regardless of whether preventives are purchased with or without a prescription.
Options
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In the United States, purchasing heartworm preventive requires a prescription, according to the AHS, which owners use to buy medication from their veterinarian or through a U.S. pharmacy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires a licensed vet to prescribe heartworm preventive because giving the medication to a dog already infected can lead to severe or fatal consequences. However, when dogs test negative for heartworm some U.S. owners turn to the less expensive option of ordering heartworm preventive from Canada. These non-U.S. orders do not require a prescription.
Types of Medication
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The medications ivermectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin and selamectin can be used safely for any breed of dog, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Ivermectin is sold alone to prevent heartworm or in combination with another drug, pyrantel pamoate, to control roundworm and hookworm too, according to the Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook. Milbemycin oxime also adds control of hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. Moxidectin combined with imidacloprid controls fleas, and selamectin also kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. These medications are sold under a variety of brand names or as generics through Canadian pharmacies.
How to Administer
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Non-prescription heartworm preventive should be given every 30 days without interruption, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ivermectin and milbemycin oxime come in pills or tablets, while selamectin and moxidectin are sold as topical liquids. Pills and tablets can be hidden in a dog's food; the topical liquid is squeezed onto a dog's back between the shoulder blades, according to the Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.
How to Order
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Once a dog is declared heartworm-free by a veterinarian, he or she will recommend the best preventive and dosage for your dog. If an owner chooses not to purchase preventive from the vet and pursue an online purchase without a prescription, several Canadian pharmacies can provide the medication, generally at favorable prices. Many Canadian pharmacies that carry medication for humans also carry heartworm preventive for dogs. A Google search for Canadian pharmacies is the best place to begin comparison shopping online.
Caution
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Dogs should never be given non-prescription heartworm medication without first having been tested for the heartworm antigen, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. This is a simple blood test performed by a veterinarian. Dogs already infected can become ill or die when given heartworm medication, so this blood test is essential before administering preventives.
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