Texas has more heartworm cases than
any other state in the nation.Heartworms are spread from pet to pet by mosquitoes and can infect both dogs and cats. Annual testing is critical because even if your pet is on heartworm medication, he or she can still become infected with heartworms.
ProHeart 6 Is Back!
ProHeart 6 is being reintroduced into the U.S. market by Fort Dodge Animal Health after a voluntary recall in 2004. This is an injectable heartworm prevention that prevents heartworm disease from developing for a period of six (6) months. The recall was lifted and approved by the FDA center for veterinary medicine (CVM) after extensive scientific safety evaluation for 3.5 years. The ProHeart 6 product has been used in Australia, Japan, and Europe since 2000. These countries reviewed the safety data and did not feel that recall of the product was warranted. Their usage of the product for the last eight (8) years has helped establish the safety of ProHeart 6.
Heartworm prevention year-round is critical to Texas and most southern states. Products currently available are monthly oral administration or topical applications given by the owner. An injection given every six (6) months by your veterinarian will ensure uninterrupted protection and allow for biannual health exams.
In the short-term, to validate confidence in the safety of ProHeart 6, there will be strict guidelines and parameters to follow in order to establish the baseline health for qualified dogs. ProHeart 6 will not be allowed to be given in conjunction with vaccines so that in the event of an adverse reaction, there won't be question as to which product was the cause. There will also be age restrictions, so that age-related degenerative disease will not be considered an adverse event due to administration of ProHeart 6. A negative heartworm test, complete blood count and liver enzymes must be tested at the time of ProHeart 6 administration to establish a normal baseline to prevent ProHeart 6 from being inadvertently identified as the cause of pre-existing disease.
After a period of time, the company in cooperation with the FDA-CVM will review all new safety data, modify the label and possibly lift restrictions.
For further information please ask your veterinarian or visit ProHeart 6's website. For this link click here: www.ProHeart6.com
VeterinaryPartner.com –
A Support Site for You
and Your Veterinarian
VeterinaryPartner.com is a pet owners and veterinarians support site to assist in the care of your pet. This site also has information regarding medications, surgery, behavior, therapies, and safety. You will be able to receive information and research your pet’s condition. Learn more about health issues concerning your pet by visiting Veterinary Partner.com. For this link click here: www.veterinarypartner.com
