How long does interceptor plus for dogs last?
Interceptor Plus for dogs is administered orally through a monthly chicken-flavored chewable that protects your dog for the next 30 days.
When a dose of heartworm prevention is given to a dog (either topically or orally) it acts as a dewormer and kills off any of the possible larval stages that mosquitoes have transmitted to dogs. The medication is usually in and out of the dog's system within 24 hours and does not stay in the dog's body for 30 days.
The monthly heartworm preventative we prescribe only lasts in a dog's or cat's body for one to two days, not 30 days, due to the lifestyle of the heartworm, it is only necessary for the pet to take the heartworm preventative every 30 days.
This medication should take effect within one to two days to create a layer of protection against these internal parasites.
If you forget a month of preventative, make sure to give the next 2 doses on time to "catch up" for that missed month. If you miss several months in a row, you should give your vet a call for advice on when to plan for the next heartworm test and how to get started back on preventatives.
If it has been less than two weeks since the missed dose, give your dog the dose immediately. If it has been over two weeks since the missed dose, contact your vet, who will likely advise you to resume normal dosing next month and have the dog tested for heartworm in six months.
Enforced Rest is ESSENTIAL! Positively NO Strenuous Exercise for 8 weeks! The heartworms will die over the next 6 weeks. As they die and are broken down, pieces of them could lodge in other parts of the body's blood vessels, causing unnecessary complications–if your pet's activity is too strenuous.
How long after heartworm treatment can a dog be active? According to Dr. Marteney, your dog will have to wait about six months after his diagnosis before he can get back to all his favorite activities.
Heartworm preventives do not kill adult heartworms. Also, giving a heartworm preventive to a dog infected with adult heartworms may be harmful or deadly. If microfilariae are in the dog's bloodstream, the preventive may cause the microfilariae to suddenly die, triggering a shock-like reaction and possibly death.
Interceptor can be given for dogs as young as 6 weeks old, as long as they weigh at least 2 lbs. Most vets recommend pet parents start this medication as soon as its safely possible. Typically Interceptor for dogs is given as a single tablet once every 30 days. Try to give this medication at the same time every month.
Can dogs get heartworms while on preventative medicine?
It is also imperative to have your pet tested yearly for heartworms while on preventative. Heartworm preventatives are highly effective, but dogs can still become infected. If you miss just one dose of your monthly medication – or give it late – it can leave your dog unprotected.
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.

The following adverse reactions have been reported in dogs after administration of milbemycin oxime or praziquantel: vomiting, diarrhea, decreased activity, incoordination, weight loss, convulsions, weakness, and salivation.
Heartworm disease prevention
In a controlled laboratory study, Interceptor Plus was 100% effective against induced heartworm infections when administered once monthly for 6 consecutive months.
A: Give the dose you missed immediately, then continue giving the medication on the day you've always given it. If the missed dose is more than 2 weeks late, your dog should be tested for heartworm again in six months (click here to learn why). Want a free monthly reminder so you don't forget to give preventatives?
Most of the monthly heartworm medicines have a safety factor of at least 15 days of protection if a dose is missed. This means that if you're just a week or two late, your pet is likely still within that window of protection and would be unlikely to become infected during that time.
Because heartworms must be eliminated before they reach this adult stage, it is extremely important that heartworm preventives be administered strictly on schedule (monthly for oral and topical products and every 6 months or 12 months for the injectable).
Interceptor is safe for use in cats, but Interceptor Plus is formulated only for use in dogs. Arguably, the most notable difference between these products is that Interceptor Plus contains a second active ingredient - Praziquantel. This additional ingredient offers added protection against tapeworms.
Should I give Interceptor Plus every month, all year long? The American Heartworm Society and the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), an independent group established to create parasite-control guidelines, both recommend treating dogs year-round with broad-spectrum parasite protection.
Interceptor Plus protects against 5 types of dangerous worms in dogs. It's a once-monthly, tasty chew, flavored with real chicken that's approved for dogs and puppies 6 weeks or older and 2 pounds or greater.
Do dogs poop out heartworms after treatment?
Myth #3: If my pet has heartworms, I will see them in her feces. Although many worm types, such as roundworms and tiny hookworms, are shed in your pet's feces, heartworms do not live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and are not found in feces.
The adult worms die in a few days and start to decompose. As they break up, they are carried to the lungs, where they lodge in the small blood vessels and are eventually reabsorbed by the body.
With the three-dose adulticide protocol described above, in conjunction with doxycycline and macrocyclic lactones as recommended by the American Heartworm Society, 98% of dogs will be cleared of heartworm infection.
The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of INTERCEPTOR: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, ataxia, anorexia, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness and hypersalivation.
After receiving the first injection, your dog must remain as quiet and inactive as possible for the next 8 weeks (confine to crate or small room). This may seem unfair, but the alternatives are worse and potentially life-threatening.
Since the mosquito is needed to carry the microfilariae, heartworm disease is not contagious from one dog to another dog. People also cannot get heartworms from dogs. Dogs and humans can only get heartworms from infected mosquitos.
Dogs with existing heartworm infections should be treated to remove the adult heartworms before going back on this medication. Interceptor® and Interceptor® Plus can kill microfilariae, but an allergic reaction to the dying microfilariae can occur in dogs when Interceptor® is given to dogs that are heartworm-positive.
Heartworm disease in dogs is known as a silent killer, because it can take months before your dog shows symptoms. In the early stages of infection, most dogs show little to no symptoms at all, and the more the disease progresses, the more likely apparent symptoms will develop.
Even if heartworm infection is treated, we all know it does serious, permanent damage to the body. This in-depth look at that damage will renew your commitment to consistent prevention recommendations for your veterinary patients.
INTERCEPTOR PLUS may be offered to the dog by hand or added to a small amount of dog food. The chewables should be administered in a manner that encourages the dog to chew, rather than to swallow without chewing. Chewables may be broken into pieces and fed to dogs that normally swallow treats whole.
What if my dog throws up after taking interceptor?
On rare occasions, pets may vomit after receiving heartworm medication. In these circumstances, the best option is to try another dose in a few days, and/or give the dose with a small amount of food. These medications have a wide range of safety, thus allowing for the additional dose.
Interceptor Plus should be administered orally, once every month, at the minimum dosage of 0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) milbemycin oxime, and 2.28 mg/lb (5 mg/kg) praziquantel. For heartworm prevention, give once monthly for at least 6 months after exposure.
They can be controlled naturally with citrus oils, cedar oils, and diatomaceous earth. Dogs needing conventional treatment may benefit from herbs such as milk thistle and homeopathics such as berberis; these minimize toxicity from the medications and dying heartworms.
- Heartgard Plus is the top choice for a heartworm preventive. ...
- Iverhart Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) has been rated high for the effective protection it provides to dogs against heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and various other parasites.
Heartworm preventatives work to kill the initial stages. Your preventative works by killing the larvae that have infected your dog during the PREVIOUS 30 days. Many people think it protects for the next 30 days, but it doesn't.
Not all dogs with heartworm disease develop into stage 4. But if it is left untreated, heartworm disease will progress and damage the dog's heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, eventually causing death.
Dogs with heartworm disease can live high-quality lives as long as they are given appropriate care. After completing treatment and following your veterinarian's recommenda- tions on heartworm disease testing and prevention, the chances of any long-term effects are very low.
Some dogs live with heartworms for a long time with little to no outside indicators of infection, especially if they don't have many heartworms. That said, heartworms have a lifespan of five to seven years, so unfortunately they have plenty of time to wreak havoc on your dog's system.
This medication should take effect within one to two days to create a layer of protection against these internal parasites.
Side Effects:
There are very few side effects when the drug is given at the normal dose, but monitor your pet for vomiting, diarrhea, depression/lethargy, ataxia, anorexia, convulsions, weakness and salivation.
What happens if my dog accidentally eats two heartworm pills?
The amount of ivermectin in standard dog and cat heartworm prevention is not likely to cause a concern in non-sensitive breeds if they were to ingest 1-2 tablets above their normal dosing. However, ingesting a larger number of tablets or medication intended for a larger animal, may be a concern.
Choosing between Interceptor and Heartgard Plus
If your dog is lactating or you have a puppy between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks, Interceptor is the safest option. If you're hoping to protect your pet against whipworms, Interceptor might be the way to go.
Interceptor Plus prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls adult roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections in dogs and puppies 6 weeks or older and 2 pounds or greater.
Interceptor Plus protects your dog against not only heartworm disease, but all five major worms including heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and tapeworm. That's more types of worms than Heartgard® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) and Simparica® Trio (sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel).
Heartworm preventives do not kill adult heartworms. Also, giving a heartworm preventive to a dog infected with adult heartworms may be harmful or deadly. If microfilariae are in the dog's bloodstream, the preventive may cause the microfilariae to suddenly die, triggering a shock-like reaction and possibly death.
If it has been less than two weeks since the missed dose, give your dog the dose immediately. If it has been over two weeks since the missed dose, contact your vet, who will likely advise you to resume normal dosing next month and have the dog tested for heartworm in six months.
INTERCEPTOR PLUS should be administered orally, once every month, at the minimum dosage of 0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) milbemycin oxime, and 2.28 mg/lb (5 mg/kg) praziquantel. For heartworm prevention, give once monthly for at least 6 months after exposure to mosquitoes (see EFFECTIVENESS). 2 to 8 lbs. 8.1 to 25 lbs.
Interceptor Plus protects against 5 types of dangerous worms in dogs. It's a once-monthly, tasty chew, flavored with real chicken that's approved for dogs and puppies 6 weeks or older and 2 pounds or greater.
Dosage: INTERCEPTOR is given orally, once a month, at the recommended minimum dosage rate of 0.23 mg milbemycin oxime per pound of body weight (0.5 mg/kg).
The following adverse reactions have been reported in dogs after administration of milbemycin oxime or praziquantel: vomiting, diarrhea, decreased activity, incoordination, weight loss, convulsions, weakness, and salivation.
What is the difference between interceptor and Interceptor Plus?
Interceptor is safe for use in cats, but Interceptor Plus is formulated only for use in dogs. Arguably, the most notable difference between these products is that Interceptor Plus contains a second active ingredient - Praziquantel. This additional ingredient offers added protection against tapeworms.
What if I Give More than the Prescribed Amount of Interceptor Plus to My Dog? Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if you believe your dog has ingested more than the recommended dose of Interceptor Plus.
Interceptor can be given for dogs as young as 6 weeks old, as long as they weigh at least 2 lbs. Most vets recommend pet parents start this medication as soon as its safely possible. Typically Interceptor for dogs is given as a single tablet once every 30 days. Try to give this medication at the same time every month.
The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of INTERCEPTOR: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, ataxia, anorexia, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness and hypersalivation.
Choosing between Interceptor and Heartgard Plus
If your dog is lactating or you have a puppy between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks, Interceptor is the safest option. If you're hoping to protect your pet against whipworms, Interceptor might be the way to go.
what are the side effects of interceptor plus? Best Answer: Side effects: There are very few side effects when the drug is given at the normal dose, but monitor your pet for vomiting, diarrhea, depression/lethargy, ataxia, anorexia, convulsions, weakness and salivation.
Use Heartworm Prevention Medication Year-Round
Although there are a fewer number of mosquitoes in the winter, there is still a risk that an animal could contract heartworms if the owner stops giving medication during this season.