EDITOR'S NOTE:

While we do not disagree that dogs should be on heartworm prevention, some products more than others appear to carry a greater number of reported side effects and/or deaths in dogs than others. As with all drugs and vaccines prescribed for your dog, we recommend that you FIRST thoroughly research each and every product BEFORE its use.

Some oral heartworm preventatives are better for certain breeds of dogs than others. We personally feel topical drugs of ANY type for your companion animal should be avoided. The heartworm preventative known as Revolution (Selamectin) has been shown to have a very large number of adverse events (including death) reported to the FDA since being approved by the FDA 5/26/99. The injectable known as ProHeart 6 (Moxidectin) -- recalled from the market September 2004 -- has also been shown to have a very large number of adverse events (including death) reported to the FDA since being approved by the FDA 6/21/01.

When trying to determine what is the best heartworm preventative for your dog, ask your vet as many questions as possible, and then STILL do your research before its administration. One very important question to ask your vet is: "If my dog adversely reacts to (this drug), how long will it take for my dog's body to be rid of it?" You never want to say yes to a drug that will stay in the body for months on end while your dog suffers any adverse effects. You never want to say yes to a drug that has no cure for those adverse effects.

No drug is 100 percent "safe." Researching pet drugs and vaccines of any type and being forearmed can save your pet's life. And lastly, as with all matters in life, trust your instincts. Doubt means don't.

ADE Report Description

The primary purpose for maintaining the FDA/CVM ADE database is to provide an early warning or signaling system for adverse effects not detected during premarket testing of FDA-approved animal drugs and for monitoring the performance of drugs not approved for use in animals. The FDA/CVM ADE reporting system depends upon the detection of an adverse clinical event by veterinarians and animal owners, the attribution of the clinical event to the use of a particular drug ("suspect" drug), and the reporting of the ADE to the manufacturer of the suspected drug or directly to FDA. Data from these ADE reports are coded and entered into the computerized FDA/CVM ADE database.

If you are aware of adverse reactions to veterinary drugs, please call the Center for Veterinary Medicine. Information about adverse drug reactions is critical to the CVM's on-going surveillance of animal drug products to assure their continued safety and effectiveness. You may report your experiences on a FORM FDA 1932a, "Veterinary Adverse Experience, Lack of Effectiveness or Product Defect Report". The 1932a is pre-addressed, prepaid postage form that is completed and dropped in the mail. A form may be obtained by writing:

ADE Reporting System
Center for Veterinary Medicine
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
7500 Standish Place
Rockville, MD 20855-2773

You may also report adverse reactions by telephoning the Center for Veterinary Medicine at 1-888-FDA-VETS.