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Heartworm Preventive Comparison Chart for Dogs and Cats
Revised: April 11, 2023
Published: January 01, 2001

Confused about heartworm prevention options? These two charts compare current heartworm preventive products side by side to assist you in determining which is right for your situation.

In the second chart, LD50 stands for lethal dose to 50 percent of a population. Typically lethal doses are expressed as oral (toxin taken by mouth) or by dermal (toxin placed on the skin). LD50s are usually determined with lab animal species such as rats, mice, and rabbits, but occasionally information is available for dogs. LD50s are expressed in milligrams of ingredient per kilogram of animal body weight (i.e. mg/kg) and provides a way to compare the toxicity of different substances.

The higher the LD50, the less toxic a substance is. Some of the materials reviewed here are so safe that LD50 has not been determined and we can only say that it is greater than a certain amount tested. The highest numbers represent the safest numbers.

Not all products listed here are available in every country. Always check with your veterinarian about the best options for your pet.

 

For
Dogs or Cats

Heartworm Preventing Ingredient

Other Ingredients for Control of Other Parasites

Other Parasites Controlled

Mode of Application

Youngest Age to Start Using

Heartgard
for Dogs

Dogs

Ivermectin

None

None

oral

6 weeks

Heartgard Plus,
Iverhart Plus,
Iverhart Max,
Triheart Plus,
Pet Trust Plus

Dogs

Ivermectin

Pyrantel
Pamoate
Iverhart Max also
has praziquantel

hookworms, roundworms
Iverhart Max also covers tapeworms

oral

6 weeks

Heartgard
for Cats

Cats

Ivermectin

None

hookworms

oral

6 weeks

Interceptor,
MilbeGuard,
Milbehart

Dogs
and Cats

Milbemycin Oxime

None

hookworms, roundworms, whipworms

oral

4 weeks
for puppies
6 weeks
for kittens

Interceptor Plus

Dogs

Milbemycin Oxime

Praziquantel

hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms

oral

6 weeks (and at least 2 lbs)

Sentinel,
Sentinel Spectrum

Dogs

Milbemycin Oxime

Lufenuron
Sentinel Spectrum also has praziquantel

hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, sterilizes fleas
Sentinel Spectrum also covers tapeworms

oral

6 weeks (and at least 2 lbs)

Revolution,
Paradyne, Revolt

Dogs
and Cats

Selamectin

None

For dogs: fleas, ticks, ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites
For cats:  fleas, ear mites, hookworms, roundworms

topical

6 weeks
for puppies
8 weeks
for kittens

Advantage Multi,
Imoxi Topical

Dogs
and Cats

Moxidectin

Imidacloprid

For dogs: fleas, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms
For cats: fleas, ear mites, hookworms, roundworms

topical

7 weeks
for puppies
9 weeks
for kittens

Proheart 6,
Proheart 12

Dogs

Moxidectin

None

hookworms

injectable

6 months for Proheart 6, 12 months for Proheart 12

Trifexis

Dogs

Milbemycin Oxime

Spinosad

fleas, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms

oral

8 weeks

Coraxis

Dogs

Moxidectin

None

roundworms, hookworms, whipworms

topical

7 weeks (and at least 3 lbs)

Simparica Trio

Dogs

Moxidectin

Sarolaner, pyrantel pamoate

fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms

oral

8 weeks (and at least 2.8 lbs)

Bravecto Plus

Cats

Moxidectin

Fluralaner (for fleas and ticks)

ticks, fleas, hookworms, roundworms

topcial

6 months

NexGard Spectra

Dogs

Milbemycin Oxime

Afoxolaner

flea, tick, mites, heartworm, hookworm, roundworm,
whipworms, flea tapeworms

oral

8 weeks (and at least 4.4lbs)

    

 

How Often Used

Approved for Pregnancy and Lactation?

Water-proof?

Safe to Give to Heartworm Positive Animal?

Manufacturer Website

LD50

Heartgard for Dogs

Monthly

yes

yes

yes

Heartgard

10 mg/kg in rats orally according to MSDS sheet for Parade Equine Gel

Heartgard Plus,
Iverhart Plus,
Iverhart Max,
Triheart Plus,
Pet Trust Plus

monthly

yes

yes

yes

Heartgard Plus
Iverhart Plus
Iverhart Max
Triheart Plus
PetTrustPlus

10 mg/kg in rats orally for ivermectin;
>690 mg/kg in dogs orally for Pyrantel Pamoate according to The Elephant Formulary by Mikota and Plumb

Heartgard for Cats

 Discontinued by manufacturer

Interceptor,
MilbeGuard, 
Milbehart

monthly

yes

yes

In most cases yes but if microfilariae numbers are high then no

Interceptor

MilbeGuard

LD50 information unavailable

Symptoms of tremors and incoordination result at 19 times recommended dose

Interceptor Plus

monthly

not tested for lactation, consult your vet regarding use in pregnancies

yes

In most cases yes but if microfilariae numbers are high then no

Interceptor Plus

LD50 information unavailable

Symptoms of tremors and incoordination result at 19 times recommended dose

Sentinel, Sentinel Spectrum

monthly

yes

yes

In most cases yes but if microfilariae numbers are high then no

Sentinel

LD50 information unavailable

Symptoms of tremors and incoordination result at 19 times recommended dose

Revolution,
Paradyne
, Revolt

monthly

yes

yes

yes

Revolution

>1600 mg/kg in the rat orally

Advantage Multi,
Imoxi Topical

monthly

no

no

yes

Advantage
Multi

Moxidectin: 106 mg/kg orally;
Imidacloprid: 450 mg/kg in the rat orally

Proheart 6,
Proheart 12

every 6 months for Proheart 6,
every 12 months for Proheart 12

yes

yes

No, in fact, owner must agree to pre-treatment labwork including heartworm testing

Proheart 6

263 mg/kg in the rat when given by injection (the dose used therapeutically is 0.17mg/kg)

Trifexis

monthly

Manufacturer cautions use, says to discuss with your veterinarian

yes

In most cases, yes but if microfilariae numbers are high then no

Trifexis

Milbemycin Oxime: LD50 information unavailable
Spinosad: >3,000 mg/kg in rats; >2,000 mg/kg in rabbits (translates to over 30 times recommended dose)

Coraxis

monthly

no

no

yes

BayerDVM

106 mg/kg orally

Simparica Trio

monthly

no

yes

no

Zoetis

783 mg/kg for rats orally

Bravecto Plus

every 2 months

no

no

manufacturer recommends use with caution

Merck

Fluralaner: Dermal LD50: >2000mg/kg (rat)
Moxidectin: 106 mg/kg orally

NexGard Spectra

monthly

not tested for pregnancy or lactation, consult your vet regarding use in pregnancies

yes

Not evaluated by manufacturer

NexGard Spectra

Afoxolaner: up to 1,000mg/kg orally in rats
Milbemycin oxime: range of 532mg/kg-946mg/kg, varied in mice and rats.

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The information contained here is for general purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

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