Heartgard Plus 驅蟲療程的副作用

May 13, 2014 • simone

Heartgard Plus 驅蟲療程的副作用

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「預防勝於治療」這句老話，用在寵物與驅蟲治療上再貼切不過，也格外重要。蛔蟲、鉤蟲和心絲蟲很容易經由蚊子或糞便傳播，因此常會影響我們的寵物。若未及時治療，寄生蟲會擴散並生長，對寵物的腸道及呼吸系統造成嚴重併發症。寄生蟲感染可能導致嚴重消化問題、心臟衰竭，甚至造成寵物死亡。 

寄生蟲也可能傳染給人類，因此制定有效的驅蟲照護計畫至關重要。 預防感染必須定期進行。幸好，Heartgard Plus 是每月使用一次、方便餵食、安全性極高且效果經證實的驅蟲療法。它能防止寄生蟲發育至危險的成蟲階段，且適用於 狗狗和貓咪。 

幾乎每隻幼犬或成犬都有可能曾接觸過寄生蟲。 幼犬在 12 週齡前每兩週需要驅蟲一次，哺乳期母犬也應接受治療。超過 12 週齡的狗狗，則需在其餘生中頻繁接受治療。 

Heartgard Plus 針對不同體重的動物提供不同劑量。它是可咀嚼、味道可口的錠劑（至少據我觀察是如此）。本品設計為咀嚼服用，而非整顆吞下；如有需要，您也可以將其剝碎後拌入寵物食物中。請務必確認寵物吃完整劑量，因此餵食期間及餵食後短時間內都應觀察牠們。

開始任何心絲蟲治療前，務必先諮詢獸醫。這不僅是為了確認正確劑量，已感染心絲蟲卻又服用心絲蟲藥物的動物，可能出現類似中毒性休克的嚴重反應。您的狗狗需要先接受檢測；若已感染，必須先治療成蟲及幼蟲（微絲蚴），才能開始任何驅蟲療程。

如果您現在正愉快地享用美食，最好先把餐點放到一旁，因為接下來我們要仔細認識這些可怕又討厭的小蟲。

蛔蟲
蛔蟲（ascarids）是最常影響狗狗與貓咪的寄生蟲。 幾乎每隻幼犬在出生時就已感染蛔蟲，或會透過母乳受到感染。 

成蟲存在於腸道中，寬度可達 2-3mm、長度最長可達 20cm。蛔蟲會造成腹瀉、嘔吐、體重減輕、發育不良、腹部膨大及精神不振。若未治療或情況嚴重，可能發生肺炎，以及腸道或消化系統阻塞。

在受感染的動物體內，成蟲會產卵，蟲卵隨後會經由糞便排出。其他動物可能因吞食受污染的土壤，或吃下其他受感染的動物，例如老鼠、齧齒類或鳥類，而受到感染。蟲卵接著會在動物胃中孵化，攝取其中的內容物並發育為會產卵的成蟲。蛔蟲幼蟲與成蟲也可能出現在肝臟和肺部等其他器官，但通常會停留在消化系統中。 

鉤蟲
鉤蟲是另一種腸道寄生蟲，最常影響幼犬與幼貓。這些蟲會附著在宿主動物的腸道內壁，吸食血液、組織與體液。如同蛔蟲，幼蟲和會產卵的成蟲都棲息在腸道中。有些幼蟲會附著在其他器官，若遷移穿過呼吸系統，可能對寵物造成特別嚴重的問題。 

鉤蟲卵會經由動物糞便排出。狗狗與貓咪可能因吞食受污染的土壤，或幼蟲穿透皮膚而感染。幼犬也可能透過母乳受到感染。

 

血便是鉤蟲感染的常見症狀。其他感染徵兆包括腸胃不適、牙齦蒼白、體重減輕、發育遲緩及毛況不佳。大量寄生蟲存在時，或發生於幼犬時，可能造成嚴重失血與貧血。極端情況下可能導致死亡。

心絲蟲
心絲蟲是所有寄生蟲中最致命的一種。雖然感染在狗狗中較常見，貓咪同樣也容易受到感染。這些蟲會寄居於動物的肺部、心臟及肺動脈，可能造成心臟衰竭或死亡。 幼犬最晚應在 12 週齡時開始進行心絲蟲預防。 

心絲蟲主要影響的是肺部，但心臟、循環系統，甚至肝臟與腎臟也可能受損。心絲蟲感染的症狀包括咳嗽、呼吸急促、呼吸有雜音、昏厥、精神不振、體重減輕、唾液或黏液中帶血、腹部腫脹、嘔吐及食慾不振。

心絲蟲由蚊子傳播；當受感染的蚊子叮咬另一隻動物時，心絲蟲幼蟲（微絲蚴）便會傳入體內。這些幼蟲會穿過組織及宿主動物的循環系統，移動至肺部、心臟與肺動脈，吸食血液並發育成熟；有些成蟲長度可達 30cm、寬度達 2cm。心絲蟲幼蟲可在宿主動物的血液中存活兩年。 

心絲蟲會導致組織發炎、血液凝結以及血管壁增厚。動物的血壓會上升，心臟負擔也會增加。 

若狗狗已感染心絲蟲卻接受預防藥物治療，可能產生非常嚴重的副作用。

副作用
如同所有藥物，部分寵物可能出現不適副作用或個別敏感反應。然而，測試顯示，正確使用時，Heartgard Plus 安全且耐受性良好，消化系統及神經系統副作用的發生率極低。 

Heartgard Plus 使用伊維菌素，可使寄生蟲麻痺並死亡。Heartgard 所含的伊維菌素劑量相對較低，副作用風險很小。如前所述，在確認寵物沒有心絲蟲前，切勿開始驅蟲計畫。 

請確認您的寵物所需劑量，因為使用高於建議劑量往往會導致嚴重副作用。若給予的劑量正確，但您發現以下任何副作用，請立即帶寵物就醫。

  • 消化問題。與 Heartgard Plus 相關最常見的副作用是消化問題，例如噁心、嘔吐與腹瀉。在臨床實地試驗中，服藥後 24 小時內出現嘔吐或腹瀉的案例僅佔 1.1%。
  • 流口水過多
  • 憂鬱與精神不振。 部分寵物曾出現憂鬱、精神不振、食慾不佳及對活動失去興趣的情況。
  • 協調能力不足（共濟失調）、方向感混亂及後腿癱瘓
  • 可能出現步態不穩、撞到牆壁或家具，或癱瘓的情況。
  • 瞳孔放大（散瞳）或失明
  • 哭叫、躁動
  • 體溫過低與低體溫症
  • 癲癇發作與肌肉顫抖。癲癇發作、顫抖與抽搐非常罕見，可能表示您的寵物對藥物特別敏感、劑量過高，或原本已感染心絲蟲。 

易感犬種
某些犬種的多重抗藥性基因（MDR1）具有突變，使牠們在極高劑量的伊維菌素下（高於建議劑量 16 倍）更為敏感。試驗中，狗狗使用高於 Heartgard 建議劑量十倍的劑量時，未觀察到不良反應。

已知此基因突變最常見於牧羊犬、澳洲牧羊犬、喜樂蒂牧羊犬及長毛惠比特犬等犬種。 用於預防心絲蟲的伊維菌素劑量通常安全，且劑量低，適合這些狗狗。您 可以與獸醫討論，為您的狗狗檢測此基因突變。

只要遵循劑量與治療 說明， Heartgard Plus 就是安全 且有效的驅蟲照護計畫。它核准適用於最小 6 週齡的動物，以及懷孕或哺乳中的貓狗。每月只要餵寵物一顆可咀嚼錠，就能輕鬆完成給藥。包裝上還附有月曆，讓您不會忘記進度。安心照護從未如此簡單。 

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評論(29)

  1. Melody

    Our dog was positive on his heartworm test but they gave him prednisone an muscle relaxers plus heartguard....we thought he was dying lastnight because all he did was lay there eyes were dialated and he would cough and had this mucous and foam type drooling....we thought he would die during night for sure but today he is getting up some an nodrool.....happening.....he reallying scared us???????????????

  2. Sheree' Welch

    My dog Molly was treated for heartworms in July last year & was heartworm free at her 6 month check up. As suggested, I've continued to give her heartguard monthly. However, for the past 2 minths, I've noticed her coughing the day after it's given & the cough lasts a day or two. Suggestions?

  3. Shirley

    Might gave my 8 year old dog heartguard plus this morning. Tonight her back legs are not working. Is there anything I can do for her right now and will this pass

  4. Marcy

    Did your dog get better? I gave two of my dogs ther Heartguard Plus last night. One is perfectly fine the other is having trouble with her back legs. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain and she will get up to go to go outside however she struggles with getting her back legs to walk.

  5. Natalie Wood

    My dogs hind legs are having problems too. How are yalls dogs now?

  6. Jody Creighton

    I gave my Lab/Basset her Heartguard dose Sunday and since the following Tuesday her back left leg has hurt her. I’ve been researching hip dysphasia symptoms and joint pain in senior dogs but thought I’d check to see if MAYBE any other dogs had leg pain after their heart worm meds and found this thread. Did your dogs leg issues clear up?

  7. Jody

    Did your dogs leg issues get better? I gave all 4 of mine Heartguard Sunday and Tuesday one of my dogs started having back leg pain. She still seems like it’s bothering her.

  8. Troy

    I have a 2 year old shepherd we adopted. They agency said she was Heartworm free. We did a Heartworm test after we had her and we had been giving heart heart guard( I have a lab too which has been on Heartgard no issue) she was diagnosed last year with micro flare and we started the slow kill treatment with heart guard plus. Last year she had a spell we’re she just payed down and like she passed out. We rushed her to dr and they gave her a Benadryl and she was fine in about and hour. This was during the slow kill treatment. We had her tested last year after the slow kill and test showed Heartworm free. She had another spell 3 weeks ago and it was worse. I picked her up and carried her to Dr and she just payed there with trashy clinches. He ran blood work ( liver enzymes a little escalated) and exrays and everything was normal. He felt she had a seizure. He told us to bring her back (today) and he tested her again and liver was fine. He did test for Heartworm again and now she is back micro flare positive, not sure how we should proceed?
    HELP!!!!!

  9. Katy

    Hi,
    I am not an expert but I am a breeder. I have lost a breeding dog with HeartGard before, and my other dogs have had serious side effects, vomiting every day, and constantly being tired and depressed. It took about a week for them to heal. I did some research and it is because they're pesticides that some dogs can't handle. Most dogs can handle it with only minor side effects, but others have very serious side effects, and, in some cases, death. I have even had some clients who told me they lost their dog to this medecine. (HeartGard) The best solution is to avoid HeartGard and other pesticide medicines. Always go for the organic and natural ones!
    Hope your dog(s) feels better soon!

  10. Sharon

    My mixed breed adopted pup, 16 months old, had an issue back in the early winter with her hind legs to the point she ended up on steroids. During the rest of the winter I was a slacker when it came to giving the Heartgard Plus and her leg pain had resolved. I restarted the med on Saturday and Saturday evening she was limping so badly I had to help her into the bed. (She acted like her knee was painful). By Sunday morning she was barely limping, but even today the limp is still noticeable. I'm starting to wonder if there is a correlation.

  11. Sharon

    I gave My mixed breed adopted pup, 16 months old, had an issue back in the early winter with her hind legs to the point she ended up on steroids. During the rest of the winter I was a slacker when it came to giving the Heartgard Plus and her leg pain had resolved. I restarted the med on Saturday and Saturday evening she was limping so badly I had to help her into the bed. (She acted like her knee was painful). By Sunday morning she was barely limping, but even today the limp is still noticeable. I'm starting to wonder if there is a correlation.

  12. Steve

    My dog has the same issues. Everytime we give him heartgard plus he coughs for the next several days.

  13. Carla

    My German Shepherd has the Heartgard injection on Thursday, by Saturday night he could use his back legs. Still unable to stand this morning (Sun). Will it get better? How long dies it take?

  14. Nicole

    I gave my dog heart guard..I thought it was something else then again and same thing shaking leg pain ..I think it's the heart guard cause see the comments..how long does it last

  15. Arlene

    I gave my 8 week old puppy 1st dose of heartguard and had seizures the same day. I saw that convulsions can be a side effect. Brought her to the vet and liver enzymes were ok but still having seizure 1-2 x a day. Gave the medicine Dec 15. Vet said it’s just a coincidence because the med is safe for puppies. I’m worried. Help!

  16. Angela Cote

    I’ve given my dog Heartgard for over 4 years without issue but this month she has an episode where she lost control over her limbs and she was scared! She couldn’t walk and was trembling! A couple hours later she was totally fine. I can’t help but wonder if it was the Heartgard?

  17. Pat Wester

    My miniature schnauzer started having trembling in his back legs about a year ago. In June, 2020 he had an episode of stumbling and loosing control of his hind legs. I've had him to the vet and we've gone through a ton of tests including a consult with a neurologist and nothing. His last episode was in Nov. I have always taken him off Heartgard and Frontline during the cold months. It's been 14 weeks since he had an episode of problems in his back legs. I started researching the effects of Heartgard and Frontline and have become concerned that these drugs are the cause of his problems. He's 12 1/2 yrs. old. I'm not going to put him back on either of those drugs.

  18. Richard Coughlin

    Gave my lab heart guard plus ever since it’s had digest promblems

  19. Terry

    Did your dog get better with appetite and how long did it take?

  20. Kristi Burton

    3 outta my 4 dogs that have been giving heartgard had episodes of vomiting and diarrhea 2 to 3 days after each dosage. Living in Louisiana it is hard not to give preventative even though my dogs are inside dogs. But it has been 5 days since I gave another dose and now my french bulldog is having leg tremors and is very lethargic. I usually have healthy, happy dogs unless it is the mosquito time of the year. Everyone might as well spray the yard with pesticides instead of giving it as a treat, What is the difference? Heart worms will kill a dog but we need a better preventative solution. I DONT WANT MY DOG TO SUFFER from a medication or a parasite. I know this is why my dogs are acting this way because there is no other explanation. I gave my 2 boys imodium for 2 days and the diarrhea finally stopped, but had to use the adult pill the children's imodium did nothing. As for my girl, she is resting because I gave her a pain pill. Only thing I can do is wait for this stuff get out of their system and don't give it again. Off to the vet in the morning. Good luck everyone.

  21. Mon

    Our coonhound is allergic to one of the ingredients in heartguard and had terrible diarrhea after each dose. We've switched to interceptor and no more issues. Doesn't taste as good, but a little peanut butter does the trick.

  22. Kristi Burton

    thank you, we will try that.

  23. Lyss

    Do 8 week old puppies need heartgard? I thought they get dewormed at a very early age.

  24. Al Bendorf

    Gave my chiweenie Heartgard, had bruising, platelet count went down to 8K. After discontinuing, platelets back up to 200K. Dangerous medication!!

  25. Barb

    My lab is on heart guard plus year round. Does she need to be dewormed also

  26. sinan

    Yes, you need a dewormer like Drontal for intestinal worms.

  27. Robin

    My golden retriever is so tried after taking heartgard plus. How long will this last?
    He is 8

  28. Jasont1981@yahoo.com

    Same exact thing is happening with my pomeranian. Such a happy dog until I gave him heartgard. I'm suing. Contact me. (Email removed. We can not publish email addresses.)

  29. Amanda Dalton

    Thank you, I'm currently in the vet with a very sick baby 2 days after heartgaurd they keep telling me it couldn't be the heartgaurd. But she is having bloody stool so bad she needs IV and throwing up

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