by Jade Skyye

Created on: November 07, 2010

Monthly heartworm prevention is a generally low-cost but effective way to protect one's dog from the often life-threatening danger of heartworms.  When looking for generic heartworm medications for your dog, it is best to be well informed.  Whether you choose to do research online or in stores, the best way to be prepared is to do your homework.  Know what it is that you want (if you are unsure, get a vet’s recommendation), look for brand name(s) and their generic alternatives, and do safety verifications (more detail below).

Generic medications have the potential to save consumers a lot of money.  In a world where pets are like family, seeking high quality alternatives to costly brand name medications is a necessity.  One must keep in mind that all “generics” are not identical to the brand name they are being compared to.  The most important thing to remember when choosing which medication to buy is to make sure the active ingredient(s) are the same and present in equal quantities. 

Some types of packaging can be deceiving; using identical color-coding and/or other references on a generic box making it “appear” to be the same as it’s “brand” comparison.  In many cases the active ingredients may be the same substance, but are present in varied amounts.  In other cases, the ingredients may be entirely different and not at all comparable to the trained eye, but to the naive and unfamiliar the differences may not be so obvious.  Regardless of the situation, when there is doubt, seek a veterinary professional’s advice.

In addition to packaging discrepancies, consumers should also be aware of deceptive play on words, suggesting that one brand is the same as another.  Just because a product sounds like the same thing or has the same wording, does not mean that the two are interchangeable.  Since heartworm medications can be harmful to beloved pets, it is worthwhile to double check what you are buying:  verify the active ingredients, verify the dosage (by pet weight), and verify the package’s expiration date.  It is very easy to overlook the date of expiration, but don’t, it is very important to ensure the medication is as potent as it should be.

Dog owners want what's best for their faithful companion(s); whatever helps them to lead a full and happy life full of love, is exactly what they should get!

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