Generic Heartgard--Worth the Gamble?

For dog and cat aficionados, heartworms can be a chilling condition. It's a disease that affects a growing number of our pets each year.

Some die from it. And, as a result, many heartworm preventative medicines appear on the market to help defend our pets against this serious condition.

Heartgard is one of the most preferred heartworm preventative medicines among dog and cat owners. It is also one of the most highly recommended medicines among veterinarians. But…many dog and cat owners are concerned that Heartgard is too high-priced. So, they turn to less expensive medicines that better fit their budget.

Is generic Heartgard worth 'the risk'?

When money's scarce, the availability of a generic Heartgard can be a real benefit. But let the buyer beware. There are some implications and considerations for pet owners to keep in mind pertaining to generic Heartgard.

Because the price of pet medications are steep we tend to resort to buying generic Heartgards that may not be as efficient as the regular Heartgard—even though the generic may be a registered version.

While some types of generic Heartgard are FDA sanctioned, know that there are also some illegal forms of generic Heartgard in circulation. These generic are not registered in the United States and they are not FDA sanctioned—even though their packaging may look similar to the branded Heartgard.

Even some registered generic Heartgard competitors failed to write an FDA sanctioned label, cautioning against human consumption, especially among children.

Additionally remember that the metric doses found in some generic Heartgard medicines can be confusing, and could lead to an overdose (or underdose) of the generic Heartgard if given to your pets.

Additionally, because some generic Heartgard are unregistered and not FDA sanctioned (and appear so similar to branded Heartgard), unknown ingredients may be damaging to your pet.

Ivermectin is the principal proven ingredient found in branded Heartgard to defend and control heartworms in pets. Registered, FDA sanctioned generic Heartgard competitors remember this and use the same principal ingredient. The variance is in the minor 'filler' ingredients used in the generic Heartgard products.

Fact: Know that even online sites will require proof of prescription before they will ship you medicine. The easiest way to get a prescription is from your local, licensed veterinarian.

In the end, determining what's best for your pet's health will be up to you. Use these valuable tips to select the Heartgard vendor that is the best fit for your pet's needs.