Heartgard Chewables for Cats vs. Revolution Plus for Cats Comparison

Heartgard Chewables for Cats

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Revolution Plus for Cats

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Tri-Heart Plus

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Prevents Heartworm Disease

Roundworms

Hookworms

Whipworms

Tapeworms

Fleas

Other Parasites

Kills 3 species of ticks commonly found in cats, and treats and controls ear mites.

Safe for Breeding, Pregnant or Nursing Pets

A wide margin of safety has been demonstrated at 3 times the recommended dose in pregnant or breeding queens and breeding toms.

N/A

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

Age/Weight Requirements

6 weeks of age or older and no weight requirement

8 weeks of age or older, weighing at least 2.8 lbs

6 weeks of age or older and no weight requirement

Rx Prescription Required

Dosage

Monthly

Usage

Video

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Veterinarian Review (Michael Dym, VMD)

Currently under review

A significant limitation of the original revolution product for cats is that it did not cover any species of ticks, which is especially important in those cats who go outside and/or live with dogs where there is increased chance of tick borne infections such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis in dogs, not to mention the risk of tick born disease exposure in people whose cats bring ticks in to the home. With this new formulation clients get protection against 3 species of ticks. The American Heartworm Society has published that one in 4 cats diagnosed with heartworm disease are indoor only cats, so that especially in Southern, warmer clients, heartworm disease prevention may become as important in cats as dogs. And it takes only a few heartworms to cause significant disease in cats, who seem much more sensitive on exposure to this parasite than even dogs are. This versatile product not only kills fleas before they eggs, but gives additional 6 in 1 protection again ticks, round worms, hookworms, as well as ear mites. THe product is quite quick drying, easy to apply, and not messy or greasy like many other topical formulations. The only down side as to efficacy is in those cases where there is a severe flea infestation affecting multiple animals in a household, where I have found some of the other products a bit more effective in those cases in both dogs and cats, however the vast majority of flea infestations are easily taken care of with this product. Because of the addition of the Sarolamer ingredient for tick control, I would not use this product if there is any history of neurological disease or seizures in the cat. The only other rare side effect I have seen is lethargy and because of its easy to use formulation, only very rare contact sensitivity. With all this being said, I give this product an overall rating of a 4 out of 5 with an ease of application of 5.

Given the rapidly expanding world of generics in the human pharmaceutical industry, it is indeed a pleasure for me as a practitioner of 16 years or experience to also see the same cost saving but equally as effective alternatives in the veterinary field as well. Heartworm disease is on the increase again in the United States. And given the importance and sometimes difficulty of client compliance in keeping up with costly monthly heartworm preventative medicines, it is great that Merck Animal Health has offered a generic version like Tri-Heart Plus to help meet this continued threat. Hopefully the savings on this preventative will encourage even more clients to have their pets on year round internal parasite control against the year round threat of heartworms, roundworms and hookworms. Tri-Heart Plus is quite safe in as pups as young as 6 weeks of age, as well as pregnant and nursing dogs. While I would rather have seen a beef flavored chewable over the pork flavor, dogs seem to love this pill just the same. The only disadvantage I have seen is very rare digestive upset in some patients which could be from the ivermectin or pyrantel main ingredients, or possibly from the pork flavoring.

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