How to Buy Heartworm Medication

All dogs in the United States are at risk of heartworm infection.

Every dog in the United States is at risk of heartworm infection. Heartworms are transmitted to a dog when it is bitten by an infected mosquito. Once they infect a dog, the heartworms mature and reproduce in the dog's heart, growing to the size of pieces of spaghetti. If left untreated they will eventually stop the flow of blood through the pet's heart and the dog will die of heart failure. There are monthly topical and oral medications available that can prevent a heartworm infection. You can buy these products from your veterinarian, or at animal supply stores and from online pharmacies with a prescription from your veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

• Prescription from veterinarian
• Computer with Internet connection, if buying online

Instructions

1. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your dog tested for heartworms. The veterinarian will draw blood to determine your dog's heartworm infection status.

2. If your dog is negative for heartworms, you can buy preventative from your veterinarian or you can ask your doctor to write a prescription you can take to an animal supply store or provide to an online pharmacy.

3. If your dog is positive for heartworm infection, she will be treated (likely with a series of injections). Once she is treated and obtains a heartworm negative status, your veterinarian can sell you the preventative or provide you with a prescription.

4. The prescription you have is now good for one year. You can take it to an animal supply store or send it to an online retailer to obtain your dog's preventative. At the end of the year, your veterinarian may require your dog to have another heartworm test before issuing a new prescription.

5. If you're buying your medication online, find an Internet retailer who is a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate business that will provide you with the correct and effective preventative for your pet. The pharmacy will provide you with instructions for sending your dog's prescription so your order can be filled.

Tips & Warnings

• • Generic heartworm medications are now available from many veterinarians and from most online pet medication retailers. These preventatives can save you money on the purchase of your dog's monthly preventative. • If you're buying your dog's heartworm preventative online, ensure the site from which you are purchasing is certified as a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice by visiting the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Web site.

• • There are online retailers who will allow you to purchase heartworm preventative without a prescription. Use caution if you're considering one of these suppliers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned pet guardians that many of these retailers are selling products that are ineffective and expired. • If your dog is a collie or herding breed, know that some of these animals have shown an intolerance to Ivermectin, the medication found in many heartworm preventatives. You may wish to use another type of heartworm preventative for these types of dogs.

References

• Food and Drug Administration Warning
• About Heartworm Infection

Resources

• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy