Tri-Heart Plus for Dogs

Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets for Dogs are a monthly heartworm preventive medication that also provides protection against certain intestinal parasites. These flavored chewable tablets are easy to administer, making them a convenient option for dog owners. Tri-Heart Plus contains two active ingredients, Ivermectin and Pyrantel, which work together to prevent heartworm disease and treat and control roundworm and hookworm infections in dogs. Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets are available in different strengths for dogs of various sizes and should be given once a month, as directed by a veterinarian.

Key Features:

• Heartworm Prevention: Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets prevent heartworm disease in dogs.
• Intestinal Parasite Control: Tri-Heart Plus also treats and controls roundworm and hookworm infections in dogs.
• Flavored Chewable Tablets: The tablets are flavored, making them palatable and easy to administer.
• Monthly Administration: Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets are given once a month, which helps ensure continuous protection against heartworms and intestinal parasites.
• Active Ingredients: Contains Ivermectin and Pyrantel, which work together to prevent heartworm disease and control intestinal parasites.

Indications:

• Prevention of heartworm disease: Tri-Heart Plus is primarily used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs. It kills the immature stages of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis) that are transmitted by mosquitoes. By preventing the development of adult heartworms, Tri-Heart Plus helps protect dogs from the potentially serious and life-threatening consequences of heartworm infection.
• Control of roundworms: Tri-Heart Plus is effective in controlling and treating infections caused by the roundworm species Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina. Roundworms are common intestinal parasites that can be found in dogs, especially puppies. Tri-Heart Plus helps eliminate roundworms and prevents reinfestation.
• Control of hookworms: Tri-Heart Plus also provides control and treatment for hookworm infections in dogs. The hookworm species Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala can cause intestinal damage, anemia, and other health problems in dogs. Tri-Heart Plus helps eliminate hookworms and reduces the risk of infection.

It's important to note that Tri-Heart Plus is a prescription medication, and the specific indications and dosage may vary based on factors such as the dog's weight, age, and health status. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate use of Tri-Heart Plus for your dog and to receive accurate dosing instructions.

How it works:

Tri-Heart Plus works by combining two active ingredients, ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate, to provide its preventive and therapeutic effects against heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms.

1. Ivermectin: Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent that belongs to the class of drugs known as avermectins. It works by interfering with the nervous system of the parasites, leading to their paralysis and death. In the case of heartworms, ivermectin kills the immature stages (larvae) of the heartworms transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites. It prevents the larvae from maturing into adult worms that can cause serious health issues.
2. Pyrantel pamoate: Pyrantel pamoate is an anthelmintic medication that specifically targets roundworms and hookworms. It works by paralyzing the worms' neuromuscular system, causing them to be expelled from the dog's body through normal bowel movements. Pyrantel pamoate is effective against both adult worms and the larval stages of these intestinal parasites.

By combining these two active ingredients, Tri-Heart Plus provides comprehensive protection against heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms. It eliminates existing parasite infections and prevents new infestations, reducing the risk of associated health problems in dogs.

It's important to note that Tri-Heart Plus is administered orally as a flavored chewable tablet. The active ingredients are absorbed into the dog's bloodstream and distributed throughout the body to target the parasites. Regular monthly administration of Tri-Heart Plus helps maintain continuous protection against these parasites and is an essential part of a comprehensive parasite prevention program recommended by veterinarians.

View Tri-Heart Plus Drug Facts Sheet.

Tri-Heart Plus ivermectin/pyrantel chewable tablets should be administered orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg (2.27 mg/lb) of body weight. The recommended dosing schedule for prevention of canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms is as follows:

Tri-Heart Plus ivermectin/pyrantel cewable tablets are recommended for dogs 6 weeks of age and older. For dogs over 100 lbs. use the appropriate combination of these tablets.

Administration:

Remove only one chewable tablet at a time from the blister card. Because most dogs find Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets palatable, the product can be offered to the dog by hand. Alternatively, it may be added intact to a small amount of dry food or placed in the back of the dog's mouth for forced swallowing.

Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended.

Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog's first exposure to mosquitoes.

When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease preventive program, the first dose of Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication.

If the interval between doses exceed a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the chewable tablet must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many immediate treatment with Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen minimizes the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.

Monthly treatment with Tri-Heart Plus Chewable tablets also provides effective treatment and control of ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense). Clients should be advised of measures to be taken to prevent reinfection with intestinal parasites.

Efficacy:

Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets given orally sung the recommended dose and regimen, are effective against the tissue larval stage of D. immitis for a month (30 days) after infection and, as a result, prevent the development of the adult state. Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets are also effective against canine ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braciliense).

Acceptability:

In acceptability trials, Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets were shown to be a palatable oral dosage form that was consumed at first offering by the majority of dogs.

Precautions:

All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets which are not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating a program with Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets.

While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets at the recommended dose level, Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets are not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction, presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea has been observed in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae.

Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of ingestion by humans, clients should be advice concerning cases of ingestion by humans.

Storage:

Store at controlled room temperature of 59-86° (15-30° C). Protect product from light.

Adverse Reactions:

In clinical field trials with ivermectin/pyrantel, vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing was rarely observed (1.1% of administered doses). The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of ivermectin at the recommended dose: depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation.

Safety:

Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level of 6 mcg/kg) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. Ivermectin demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials and bioequivalency studies support the safety of ivermectin products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended.

Ivermectin/pyrantel has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. In clinical trials, many commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations have been administered with ivermectin/pyrantel in a heartworm disease preventive program.

In one trial, where some pups had parvovirus, there was a marginal reduction in efficacy against intestinal nematodes, possibly due to a change in intestinal transit time.