How to Buy Heartworm Medicine Over the Internet

Caused by parasites transmitted by mosquito bites, heartworm affects pets, such as dogs, ferrets and cats.

Heartworms live in large blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs, causing fatigue, breathing difficulties, coughing and heart failure. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends regular heartworm medication for pets to prevent infection.

Prescription

According to the American Heartworm Society, prescription is needed to buy a heartworm medicine. A veterinarian must test the animal for heartworm before approving a heartworm prescription because giving the medication to an animal that already has heartworm could be fatal.

Safety

Many pet stores operate over the Internet and might even let you buy heartworm medicines without a prescription. However, you should buy heartworm medicine from a reputable online veterinary pharmacy that requires you to provide a prescription to ensure the safety and the legality of the medicine you receive.

Ordering

Place the heartworm medicine order online and provide the prescription. Depending on the website, you might be able to have the online pet store contact your veterinarian for prescription authorization, send the prescription by mail, or have your veterinarian call or fax the prescription to the online pet store.

References

• LA County Department of Public Health: Heartworm Disease
• American Heartworm Societt: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Doctors Foster and Smith: How to Order a Prescription for Your Pet or Horse