Do heartworm pills have arsenic in them?

Question

someone told me she stopped giving heartworm pills to her dogs because she read they have arsenic in them. she has a 14 year old dog who is active and healthy still. she stopped using frontline flea/tick prevention also because the hair would fall out when she used it. i wouldn't stop the flea/tick medication but i was thinking of not giving heartworm pills anymore IF they do have arsenic in them, even if it's just trace amounts. the flea/tick meds would keep bugs off right?

Answer 1

No.The arsenic is what is used to kill the heartworms when a dog is infected with them. Keep giving your dogs their pills,they are safe!

Answer 2

No, but arsenic is used to treat a dog once they develop heartworm. Heartworm preventatives are very safe but the disease is not. As someone that has had many foster dogs go through heartworm treatment, I can tell you that the preventative is a much better way to go. Many dogs don't make it through treatment, not to mention it's incredibly expensive. Don't risk it.

Answer 3

nope no arsenic in heartworm pills.  The most commonly used brand is heartgard and contains a medication called ivermectin.