Worm Problems

Various internal worms are not only a risk to a number of pet species, but humans can also become infected with hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms, to name just a few. Symptoms for animals and/or their human companions might be as mild as gastro-intestinal upset or as severe as death. While we won't delve into detail about the life cycle of each worm or the symptoms associated with each type of worm infestation, we will discuss various preventative and treatment options.

The main medications found in worm-related products might include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Fenbendazole
• Ivermectin
• Piperazine
• Prazinquantel
• Pyrantel pamoate

Heartworm Control

Heartworm infestations result from the bite of a mosquito. Dogs and cats are perhaps the most susceptible to such a disease. While utilizing the various mosquito deterrents mentioned earlier can help to reduce the chances of your pet contracting this life-threatening disease, many people choose to place their animals on a scheduled dose of preventative medications.

The main heartworm medications include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Heartgard (Often misspelled as “ Heartguard”) - This once-a-month administered product is available in both tablet and beef chewable “treat” form. Ivermectin is the main ingredient. Heartguard Plus with pyrantel is an option for people who also want to control hookworms and roundworms in dogs. Heartguard for cats fights both heartworms and hookworms. One note of caution…higher incidences of negative side effects from ivermectin-containing products have been observed in Collies, Australian shepherds, Old English sheepdogs, and Shetland sheepdogs; this is often due to a genetic defect. A veterinarian can conduct a DNA oral swab test on your dog to identify such a potential risk.
• Interceptor - Almost identical to Heartgard, Interceptor tablets are given once a month to dogs to combat heartworm, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. Cat Interceptor pills work against heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. The active ingredient in Interceptor pet meds is milbemycin oxime.
• Revolution - As mentioned earlier in the Medicated Products section of this guide, Revolution is a multi-functional once-a-month topically applied “spot on” product that works against heartworms in dogs and against heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms in cats. Selamectin is the active ingredient.
• Sentinel - As previously mentioned, this canine-only product combines the active ingredients found in Interceptor ( milbemycin oxime) and Program ( lufenuron). By doing so, it's effective against controlling flea populations, as well as warding off infestations by heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms in dogs. It too is given monthly.

All of these heartworm-related medications require a prescription from a doctor. Such a requirement is due to the fact that if such products are administered to pets that are already infected with heartworms, severe damage and/or death can result. Prior to the prescription being written, your veterinarian will require that a blood test be done to verify your pet's current heartworm status.

Hookworm Control

As previously mentioned, the following products are effective against hookworms:

• Heartguard for cats
• Heartguard Plus for dogs
• Interceptor for both cats and dogs
• Revolution for cats
• Sentinel for dogs

Other items to treat hookworm infestations include:

• Drontal for cats (not a prescription drug)
• Drontal Plus for dogs
• Fenbendazole-containing products for dogs
• Pyrantel pamoate-containing products for large hookworm control in dogs

Roundworm Control

As previously mentioned, the following products are effective against roundworms:

• Heartguard Plus for dogs
• Interceptor for both cats and dogs
• Revolution for cats
• Sentinel for dogs

Other items to treat roundworm infestations include:

• Drontal for large roundworms in cats (non-prescription)
• Drontal Plus for dogs
• Fenbendazole-containing products for dogs
• Piperazine-containing products for both cats and dogs
• Pyrantel pamoate-containing products for large roundworm control in dogs

Tapeworm Control

Prescription items to treat tapeworm infestations (that often result from the ingestion of an infected flea) include:

• Droncit pills and injections for both cats and dogs
• Drontal for cats (non-prescription)
• Drontal Plus for dogs
• Praziquantel-containing products for both cats and dogs

Whipworm Control

As previously mentioned, the following products are effective against whipworms:

• Interceptor for dogs
• Revolution for cats
• Sentinel for dogs

Other items to treat whipworm infestations include:

• Drontal Plus for dogs
• Fenbendazole-containing products for dogs

On to part twelve :: How to choose the best worming products for your pet :: Back to Consumers Guide to Pet Meds

• For more information about purchasing pet meds online,
  Please visit our Pet Meds Buyers Guide