Pet Medication – Interceptor For Dogs - Uses And Possible Side Effects

Interceptor for dogs is an anthelmintic type of pet medication, which is a fancy way of saying that it kills parasitic worms in dogs. It's a once a month, beef flavored chewable pet medication that most dogs don't mind taking. In fact, many dogs look forward to munching the tablets because they're similar in flavor to a dog treat.

Interceptor for dogs is most commonly used to prevent or kill:

• Heartworms and Heartworm Larvae
• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Whipworms

Vets prescribe this pet medication because its effective, FDA approved, and has a broad spectrum of activity. Pet owners love it because it's easy to administer and only needs to be taken once a month.

Interceptor for dogs contains artificial beef flavoring derived from pork and soy. The beefy flavor helps ensure that most dogs will readily take the medicine. If your dog doesn't happen to like the flavor, it can also be crushed into powder and added to their food.

This pet medication is available in several dosages depending on the size of your dog, and comes in color coded packaging. Interceptor for dogs usual dosages are:

• Brown Box- 2.3 mg tabs for dogs 2 to 10 pounds
• Green Box- 5.75 mg tabs for dogs 11 to 25 pounds
• Yellow Box- 11.5 mg tabs for dogs 26 to 50 pounds
• White Box- 23 mg tabs for dogs 51 to 100 pounds

This pet medication is typically given once a month, and year round, but some veterinarians prescribe it only at certain times of year; particularly those months when your dog is most at risk of exposure to mosquito bites.

If you miss a dose, you should give it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for the next dose. Never double up on doses of this pet medication.

You should tell your vet if your dog has ever had an allergic reaction to Interceptor or any other pet medication that uses milbemycin as the active ingredient.

Interceptor for dogs should never be given to a dog that is already being given another heartworm medication.

This pet medication should not be given to dogs that already have heartworms. A heartworm test should always be given in advance.

If your dog has taken Interceptor for dogs in the past, and has been off the medication for less than 6 months, a heartworm test should be given after 6 months has passed. Microfilariae (heartworm larvae) take up to 6 months to mature, so testing too soon after exposure could produce a false negative test result.

Possible side effects of Interceptor for dogs include:

• Drowsiness
• Depression
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Hypersalivation (Drooling)
• Diarrhea
• Siezures
• Muscle weakness

These side effects are rare, but if you see any of these symptoms you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

As with most pet meds, Interceptor for dogs should be stored in a dry place, at room temperature. Never remove the chewable tablets from the package until you're ready to administer the medicine to your dog.

For more information about Interceptor for dogs, or any other type of pet medication, contact your veterinarian or a reputable pet pharmacy. You can also learn more about your pet's health by visiting the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine website.