Heartworm medicine drugs

Ivermectin and milbemycin have been used effectively as microfilaricidal medicine drugs, although neither is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this purpose. Medicine drug treatment for microfilariae is generally administered 3 to 4 weeks after adulticide therapy. The rapid death of many microfilariae within 3 to 8 (sometimes 12) hours of the first dose can cause systemic effects, including lethargy, inappetence, salivation, retching, defecation, pallor and tachycardia. Usually such adverse effects are mild. However, dogs with high numbers of circulating microfilariae occasionally experience circulatory collapse that responds to glucocorticoid therapy. It is recommended that dogs be closely observed for 8 to 12 hours after initial medicine drug absorption. An additional benefit of both medicine drugs is that they prevent new infection.

Medicine drugs Ivermectin (Ivomec or Heartguard) is an avermectin with efficacy against a variety of nematode and anthropode parasites. Moxidectin and selamectin are also known to be microfilaricidal, but there is inadequate clinical experience with them for this purpose. Other drugs that have been used include levamisole and fenthion; but since they are less effective than ivermectin and milbemycin, must be given for a longer period, and have frequent adverse effects, they are not recommended.

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