DOSAGE:
Tri-Heart Plus ivermectin/pyrantel chewable tablets should be administered orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg (2.27 mg/lb) of body weight. The recommended dosing schedule for prevention of canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms is as follows:
Up to 25 lbs: 1 Chewable tablet, 68 mcg Ivermectin, 57 mg Pyrantel, Blue
26 to 50 lb: 1 Chewable tablet, 136 mcg Ivermectin, 114 mg Pyrantel, Green
51 to 100 lb: 1 Chewable tablet, 272 mcg Ivermectin, 227 mg Pyrantel, Brown
Tri-Heart Plus ivermectin/pyrantel chewable tablets are recommended for dogs 6 weeks of age and older. For dogs over 100 lbs, use the appropriate combination of these tablets.
ADMINISTRATION:
Remove only one chewable tablet at a time from the blister card. Because most dogs find Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets palatable, the product can be offered to the dog by hand. Alternatively, it may be added intact to a small amount of dry food or placed in the back of the dogs mouth for forced swallowing.
Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended.
Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dogs first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dogs last exposure to mosquitoes.
When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease preventive program, the first dose of Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication.
If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the chewable tablet must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen minimizes the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.
Monthly treatment with Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets also provides effective treatment and control of ascarids
(T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms
(A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense). Clients should be advised of measures to be taken to prevent reinfection with intestinal parasites.
EFFICACY:
Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets given orally using the recommended dose and regimen, are effective against the tissue larval stage of D. immitis for a month (30 days) after infection and, as a result, prevent the development of the adult stage. Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets are also effective against canine ascarids
(T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms
(A. caninum. U. stenocephala, A. braziliense). ACCEPTABILITY:
In acceptability trials, Tri-Heart Plus chewable tablets were shown to be a palatable oral dosage form that was consumed at first offering by the majority of dogs.
