Please do not use this web-site to self-diagnose and treat your own pets. Although this website makes every attempt to be accurate and up-to-date - recommended drug treatments, drug doses, drug durations and drug-safety recommendations change constantly and we may not always be able to keep up with the most-current knowledge. Nor may the information contained within these pages be appropriate for your individual pet. Some of the drugs listed on these pages have important side effects and not all drugs and doses will be safe for all individuals (e.g. some dose rates may be toxic in some individuals). You must get your vet to diagnose any disease conditions in your pets (do not self diagnose) and recommend the best and safest treatments for your situation.
This website (us) is designed for information purposes only - so that you will know what options might be available to you and what questions and topics to ask your own vet about. The website is not designed to replace your own vet's opinion. Your vet can directly examine your animal - we can not. Only vets who have directly examined your pet can tell you which treatments, drugs and doses are most effective and safe for your animal. No website can guarantee this like your own veterinarian can.
Liquid ivermectin (Ivomec) is available in 1% injectable solution for treating cattle and pigs, and in 0.08% oral solution for treating sheep (the 0.27% solution has been discontinued). Do not use Ivomec Plus, Ivomec Super, or any other products that contain additional active ingredients.
Note that all of these products are given orally. You should not use pour-on solutions, as they are not safe to give orally. A pour-on solution can be used topically (on the skin, not orally) to treat sarcoptic mange.
In most cases, you will need a syringe (no needle) that measures to the tenth of a cc to administer (see Where to Buy below).
Ivermectin 0.08% solution made for sheep can be used undiluted. An 8 oz (236 ml) bottle of ivermectin 0.08% solution costs around $28, and would be enough to treat 70,000 pounds of dogs.
Heartworm Prevention
I don't endorse the extra-label use of liquid ivermectin for dogs, but I'm concerned that people are using it improperly, subjecting their dogs to potentially dangerous levels (for some dogs) of ivermectin. See below for information on how to properly dilute Ivomec 1% solution in order to make it safe to use for dogs. You can use 0.08% sheep drench undiluted.
The dosages shown below are used to duplicate the amount of ivermectin found in Heartgard, and should be given monthly for heartworm prevention.
Directions for using 0.08% sheep drench
Ivermectin sheep drench solution contains a lower concentration than other ivermectin products, so it can be used without diluting it first. Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Dosage using Ivermectin 0.08% solution for heartworm prevention (you may want to double these doses for better protection):
up to 14 pounds: 0.05 cc (one-half of 0.1 cc, or 1 drop)
15 to 29 pounds: 0.1 cc
30 to 58 pounds: 0.2 cc
59 to 88 pounds: 0.3 cc
89 to 117 pounds: 0.4 cc
118 to 147 pounds: 0.5 cc
Ivermectin solution is given orally. It's best to squirt it into the mouth, rather than adding to food, to be sure your dog gets it all.
1 cc of ivermectin 0.08% sheep drench solution contains 800 mcg; 0.1 cc = 80 mcg.
The exact dosage is 0.034 cc per 10 pounds of body weight, or approximately 0.1 cc per 30 pounds of body weight.
Directions for making 30:1 dilution of 1% solution
A 30:1 dilution works best for smaller dogs. Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Mix 30 parts glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil to 1 part ivermectin 1% solution. Shake well before using to mix the ivermectin evenly. Refrigerate any unused portion (do not store mixtures with vegetable oil).
Dosage using Ivermectin 1% solution at 30:1 dilution for heartworm prevention (you may want to double these doses for better protection):
< 6 pounds: 0.05 cc (one-half of 0.1 cc, or 1 drop)
6 to 12 pounds: 0.1 cc
13 to 24 pounds: 0.2 cc
25 to 36 pounds: 0.3 cc
37 to 48 pounds: 0.4 cc
49 to 60 pounds: 0.5 cc
62 to 72 pounds: 0.6 cc
73 to 84 pounds: 0.7 cc
85 to 97 pounds: 0.8 cc
98 to 109 pounds: 0.9 cc
110 to 121 pounds: 1 cc
Ivermectin solution is given orally. It's best to squirt it into the mouth, rather than adding to food, to be sure your dog gets it all.
To make a small amount of the mixture, you will need a 1 cc syringe that measures accurately to the tenth of a cc. Draw up 0.1 cc of Ivermectin solution in a 1 cc syringe, and mix well with 3 cc of glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil, giving you 3 ccs at a dilution ratio of 30:1. This is enough to treat 300 pounds of dogs using the 1% solution.
To make larger amounts of the mixture, use a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, which is 30 ml. Put 1 ml of ivermectin solution in a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, then fill with glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil. This will be enough to treat 3,000 pounds of dogs (e.g., 300 10-lb dogs or 150 20-lb dogs) using the 1% solution.
1 cc of ivermectin 1% diluted 30:1 contains 333 mcg; 0.1 cc = 33 mcg.
The exact dosage is 0.0824 cc (approximately 0.1 cc) per 10 pounds of body weight.
Directions for making 9:1 dilution of 1% solution
A 9:1 dilution works best for larger dogs. Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Mix 9 parts glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil to 1 part ivermectin 1% solution. Shake well before using to mix the ivermectin evenly. Refrigerate any unused portion (do not store mixtures with vegetable oil).
Dosage using Ivermectin 1% solution at 9:1 dilution for heartworm prevention (you may want to double these doses for better protection):
up to 18 pounds: 0.05 cc (one-half of 0.1 cc, or 1 drop)
19 to 36 pounds: 0.1 cc
37 to 73 pounds: 0.2 cc
74 to 110 pounds: 0.3 cc
111 to 147 pounds: 0.4 cc
Ivermectin solution is given orally. It's best to squirt it into the mouth, rather than adding to food, to be sure your dog gets it all.
To make a small amount of the mixture, you will need a 1 cc syringe that measures accurately to the tenth of a cc or a dropper bottle. Draw up 0.1 cc of Ivermectin solution in a 1 cc syringe, and mix well with 0.9 cc of glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil, giving you 1 cc at a dilution ratio of 9:1. This is enough to treat 333 pounds of dogs using the 1% solution.
To make larger amounts of the mixture, use a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, which is 30 ml. Put 3 ml of ivermectin solution in a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, then fill with glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil. This will be enough to treat 9,000 pounds of dogs (e.g., 90 100-lb dogs) using the 1% solution.
1 cc of ivermectin 1% diluted 9:1 contains 1,000 mcg; 0.1 cc = 100 mcg ivermectin.
The exact dosage is 0.0272 ml (approximately 0.03 cc) per 10 pounds of body weight.
Ivermectin 1% solution is more readily available, but without diluting it, the amount to give is too small to measure accurately even for large dogs. The proper way to use liquid 1% ivermectin solution for dogs is to dilute the ivermectin with food-grade (USP) glycerin or propylene glycol (liquid ivermectin injectable solutions are made with 40% glycerol and 60% propylene glycol, so we know that ivermectin mixes well with those ingredients). Some people have used vegetable oil instead because it tastes better and is easier to get, but the drug will not mix as well with oil and so the dosage within the solution may not be even. Vegetable oil may work if thoroughly mixed prior to giving and used within a short period; I wouldn't try to store any mixture made with vegetable oil.
A 50 ml bottle of ivermectin 1% solution costs around $35 and would be enough to treat 150,000 pounds of dogs when fully diluted. There are instructions below for creating a 30:1 dilution, which works best for small dogs and can also be used for large dogs, and also instructions for creating a 9:1 dilution, which is more suited to large dogs. See Buy Ivermectin, Glycerin and Propylene Glycol below for where to find these products.
It is possible to use ivermectin 1% solution undiluted if you're willing to give higher doses than are needed for heartworm prevention. This is safe for most dogs, as long as they do not have the MDR1 mutation that causes sensitivity to ivermectin, and as long as the ivermectin is not combined with spinosad, a flea control ingredient used in Comfortis and Trifexis (also called Vethical AcuGuard and ComboGuard). See Ivermectin Sensitivity below for more information.
An Ivermectin powder product that was mixed with ground corn and designed for pigs appears to have been discontinued.
Keep Ivomec and any unused mixture refrigerated and protected from light. The length of time the diluted mixture will remain potent is unknown. It is safest to mix each batch fresh, just before using. Ivermectin is sensitive to ultraviolet light and should be stored in the dark or by placing containers in an opaque bag.
Ivermectin Sensitivity
Note that the dosages listed below are the same as is used in Heartgard, but it's safe to give a little more. For example, when using Heartgard Green for dogs weighing 26 to 50 pounds, the dosage used is calculated for a 50-pound dog, while a 26-pound dog would get twice as much per pound of body weight. Heartgard Blue is used for dogs weighing up to 25 pounds, so a 5-pound dog would get five times as much per pound of body weight as a 25-pound dog would. Dosages as high as 50 to 100 times the amount used to prevent heartworms are used to treat mites on dogs (demodectic mange).
High dosages of ivermectin are considered safe for all dogs except those with the MDR1 gene mutation that makes them sensitive to ivermectin and other drugs. Commonly affected breeds include the Collie, Australian Shepherd (all sizes), Shetland Sheepdog, English Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, McNab, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Long-haired Whippet, and Silken Windhound. Mixed-breed dogs can also be affected. There is now a test available to screen for the presence of the mutated MDR1 gene that causes this problem, see Dogs with a Drug Problem for more information.
If your dog is a purebred or mixed-breed from one of the breeds above, or a mixed-breed of unknown parentage, and has not been tested for the MDR1 mutation, be very cautious using high doses of ivermectin for treating demodex, sarcoptic mange, or other parasites. Start with no more than one-third the regular dose for the first few days and monitor your dog closely. Stop the drug immediately if you see any signs of neurologic toxicity, including uncoordination or loss of balance (ataxia), depression, disorientation, excess salivation, pupil dilation, nystagmus (abnormal movement of the eyes), blindness, tremors, recumbency (inability to get up), or coma. Get your dog to a vet for supportive care if signs are severe or prolonged.
Very high doses of ivermectin, such as are used to treat demodex, are also problematic if combined with products that contain spinosad, such as Comfortis and Trifexis (also called Vethical AcuGuard and ComboGuard). Spinosad is a newer flea-control ingredient that increases the risk of neurological side effects from ivermectin. Dogs infected with heartworms may suffer an anaphylactic reaction from the death of too many microfilariae at once when given very high doses of ivermectin as well.
Ivermectin Efficacy
Recent information has come to light that Heartgard may be only 95% effective, rather than 100% effective, in preventing heartworm infections. That means it will destroy 95% of heartworm larvae, not that 95% of dogs receiving Heartgard will remain heartworm-free.
The dosage of ivermectin used in Heartgard was the lowest found to be 100% effective at killing heartworm larvae when the product was originally approved. Since lower doses were less effective, it's possible that higher doses may continue to be 100% effective.
Higher doses of ivermectin are safe for all dogs except those with the MDR1 mutation. Dosages as high as 50 times the amount used to prevent heartworms are used to treat mites on dogs (demodectic mange). Very high dosages may also be problematic for dogs infected with Heartworms, and those being treated with Comfortis. See Ivermectin Sensitivity above for more information.
It may be best to double the amount of ivermectin you give your dogs in order to potentially provide better protection from heartworm infection. Again, this does not apply to dogs with the MDR1 mutation.
Note that higher doses of ivermectin are unlikely to be more effective against the resistant strain of heartworms that has been identified in the Mississippi River Valley. See New Information Regarding Heartworm Resistance for details.
Directions for using ivermectin 1% solution undiluted
If you use ivermectin 1% solution undiluted, the dosage will be higher than is needed for heartworm prevention. This is safe for most dogs, as long as they do not have the MDR1 mutation that causes sensitivity to ivermectin, and as long as the ivermectin is not combined with spinosad, a flea control ingredient used in Comfortis and Trifexis (also called Vethical AcuGuard and ComboGuard). See Ivermectin Sensitivity above for more information.
Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Dosage using Ivermectin 1% solution undiluted for heartworm prevention: give 1 drop (one-half of 0.1 cc). This amount will provide more ivermectin than is needed for heartworm prevention, as follows:
10 pounds: 1 drop provides 18 times the minimum dosage
20 pounds: 1 drop provides 9 times the minimum dosage
30 pounds: 1 drop provides 6 times the minimum dosage
40 pounds: 1 drop provides 5 times the minimum dosage
50 pounds: 1 drop provides 4 times the minimum dosage
60-70 pounds: 1 drop provides 3 times the minimum dosage
80-100 pounds: 1 drop provides 2 times the minimum dosage.
1 cc of ivermectin 1% undiluted contains 10,000 mcg; 0.1 cc = 1,000 mcg, 1 drop = approx 500 mcg ivermectin.
The exact dosage is 0.00272 ml (approximately 0.003 cc) per 10 pounds of body weight.
This website (us) is designed for information purposes only - so that you will know what options might be available to you and what questions and topics to ask your own vet about. The website is not designed to replace your own vet's opinion. Your vet can directly examine your animal - we can not. Only vets who have directly examined your pet can tell you which treatments, drugs and doses are most effective and safe for your animal. No website can guarantee this like your own veterinarian can.
Warning!
Ivermectin in high doses can be dangerous, even fatal, to dogs, especially those with the MDR1 mutation (see Ivermectin Sensitivity below), but even healthy dogs can be harmed if the dosage is high enough. Ivermectin solutions almost always must be diluted in order to provide appropriate dosages for heartworm prevention.
DO NOT USE UNDILUTED IVERMECTIN unless you are very careful to follow the instructions below, and you have either a large dog or know for certain that your dog does not have the MDR1 mutation. Note that the common recommendation to give 0.1 cc undiluted ivermectin per 10 pounds of body weight provides 37 times the amount of ivermectin needed for heartworm prevention. This dosage would be extremely dangerous for dogs with ivermectin sensitivity.
Ivermectin in high doses can be dangerous, even fatal, to dogs, especially those with the MDR1 mutation (see Ivermectin Sensitivity below), but even healthy dogs can be harmed if the dosage is high enough. Ivermectin solutions almost always must be diluted in order to provide appropriate dosages for heartworm prevention.
DO NOT USE UNDILUTED IVERMECTIN unless you are very careful to follow the instructions below, and you have either a large dog or know for certain that your dog does not have the MDR1 mutation. Note that the common recommendation to give 0.1 cc undiluted ivermectin per 10 pounds of body weight provides 37 times the amount of ivermectin needed for heartworm prevention. This dosage would be extremely dangerous for dogs with ivermectin sensitivity.
Liquid ivermectin (Ivomec) is available in 1% injectable solution for treating cattle and pigs, and in 0.08% oral solution for treating sheep (the 0.27% solution has been discontinued). Do not use Ivomec Plus, Ivomec Super, or any other products that contain additional active ingredients.
Note that all of these products are given orally. You should not use pour-on solutions, as they are not safe to give orally. A pour-on solution can be used topically (on the skin, not orally) to treat sarcoptic mange.
In most cases, you will need a syringe (no needle) that measures to the tenth of a cc to administer (see Where to Buy below).
Ivermectin 0.08% solution made for sheep can be used undiluted. An 8 oz (236 ml) bottle of ivermectin 0.08% solution costs around $28, and would be enough to treat 70,000 pounds of dogs.
Heartworm Prevention
I don't endorse the extra-label use of liquid ivermectin for dogs, but I'm concerned that people are using it improperly, subjecting their dogs to potentially dangerous levels (for some dogs) of ivermectin. See below for information on how to properly dilute Ivomec 1% solution in order to make it safe to use for dogs. You can use 0.08% sheep drench undiluted.
The dosages shown below are used to duplicate the amount of ivermectin found in Heartgard, and should be given monthly for heartworm prevention.
Directions for using 0.08% sheep drench
Ivermectin sheep drench solution contains a lower concentration than other ivermectin products, so it can be used without diluting it first. Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Dosage using Ivermectin 0.08% solution for heartworm prevention (you may want to double these doses for better protection):
up to 14 pounds: 0.05 cc (one-half of 0.1 cc, or 1 drop)
15 to 29 pounds: 0.1 cc
30 to 58 pounds: 0.2 cc
59 to 88 pounds: 0.3 cc
89 to 117 pounds: 0.4 cc
118 to 147 pounds: 0.5 cc
Ivermectin solution is given orally. It's best to squirt it into the mouth, rather than adding to food, to be sure your dog gets it all.
1 cc of ivermectin 0.08% sheep drench solution contains 800 mcg; 0.1 cc = 80 mcg.
The exact dosage is 0.034 cc per 10 pounds of body weight, or approximately 0.1 cc per 30 pounds of body weight.
Directions for making 30:1 dilution of 1% solution
A 30:1 dilution works best for smaller dogs. Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Mix 30 parts glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil to 1 part ivermectin 1% solution. Shake well before using to mix the ivermectin evenly. Refrigerate any unused portion (do not store mixtures with vegetable oil).
Dosage using Ivermectin 1% solution at 30:1 dilution for heartworm prevention (you may want to double these doses for better protection):
< 6 pounds: 0.05 cc (one-half of 0.1 cc, or 1 drop)
6 to 12 pounds: 0.1 cc
13 to 24 pounds: 0.2 cc
25 to 36 pounds: 0.3 cc
37 to 48 pounds: 0.4 cc
49 to 60 pounds: 0.5 cc
62 to 72 pounds: 0.6 cc
73 to 84 pounds: 0.7 cc
85 to 97 pounds: 0.8 cc
98 to 109 pounds: 0.9 cc
110 to 121 pounds: 1 cc
Ivermectin solution is given orally. It's best to squirt it into the mouth, rather than adding to food, to be sure your dog gets it all.
To make a small amount of the mixture, you will need a 1 cc syringe that measures accurately to the tenth of a cc. Draw up 0.1 cc of Ivermectin solution in a 1 cc syringe, and mix well with 3 cc of glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil, giving you 3 ccs at a dilution ratio of 30:1. This is enough to treat 300 pounds of dogs using the 1% solution.
To make larger amounts of the mixture, use a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, which is 30 ml. Put 1 ml of ivermectin solution in a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, then fill with glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil. This will be enough to treat 3,000 pounds of dogs (e.g., 300 10-lb dogs or 150 20-lb dogs) using the 1% solution.
1 cc of ivermectin 1% diluted 30:1 contains 333 mcg; 0.1 cc = 33 mcg.
The exact dosage is 0.0824 cc (approximately 0.1 cc) per 10 pounds of body weight.
Directions for making 9:1 dilution of 1% solution
A 9:1 dilution works best for larger dogs. Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Mix 9 parts glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil to 1 part ivermectin 1% solution. Shake well before using to mix the ivermectin evenly. Refrigerate any unused portion (do not store mixtures with vegetable oil).
Dosage using Ivermectin 1% solution at 9:1 dilution for heartworm prevention (you may want to double these doses for better protection):
up to 18 pounds: 0.05 cc (one-half of 0.1 cc, or 1 drop)
19 to 36 pounds: 0.1 cc
37 to 73 pounds: 0.2 cc
74 to 110 pounds: 0.3 cc
111 to 147 pounds: 0.4 cc
Ivermectin solution is given orally. It's best to squirt it into the mouth, rather than adding to food, to be sure your dog gets it all.
To make a small amount of the mixture, you will need a 1 cc syringe that measures accurately to the tenth of a cc or a dropper bottle. Draw up 0.1 cc of Ivermectin solution in a 1 cc syringe, and mix well with 0.9 cc of glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil, giving you 1 cc at a dilution ratio of 9:1. This is enough to treat 333 pounds of dogs using the 1% solution.
To make larger amounts of the mixture, use a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, which is 30 ml. Put 3 ml of ivermectin solution in a 1 fluid ounce dropper bottle, then fill with glycerin, propylene glycol, or vegetable oil. This will be enough to treat 9,000 pounds of dogs (e.g., 90 100-lb dogs) using the 1% solution.
1 cc of ivermectin 1% diluted 9:1 contains 1,000 mcg; 0.1 cc = 100 mcg ivermectin.
The exact dosage is 0.0272 ml (approximately 0.03 cc) per 10 pounds of body weight.
Ivermectin 1% solution is more readily available, but without diluting it, the amount to give is too small to measure accurately even for large dogs. The proper way to use liquid 1% ivermectin solution for dogs is to dilute the ivermectin with food-grade (USP) glycerin or propylene glycol (liquid ivermectin injectable solutions are made with 40% glycerol and 60% propylene glycol, so we know that ivermectin mixes well with those ingredients). Some people have used vegetable oil instead because it tastes better and is easier to get, but the drug will not mix as well with oil and so the dosage within the solution may not be even. Vegetable oil may work if thoroughly mixed prior to giving and used within a short period; I wouldn't try to store any mixture made with vegetable oil.
A 50 ml bottle of ivermectin 1% solution costs around $35 and would be enough to treat 150,000 pounds of dogs when fully diluted. There are instructions below for creating a 30:1 dilution, which works best for small dogs and can also be used for large dogs, and also instructions for creating a 9:1 dilution, which is more suited to large dogs. See Buy Ivermectin, Glycerin and Propylene Glycol below for where to find these products.
It is possible to use ivermectin 1% solution undiluted if you're willing to give higher doses than are needed for heartworm prevention. This is safe for most dogs, as long as they do not have the MDR1 mutation that causes sensitivity to ivermectin, and as long as the ivermectin is not combined with spinosad, a flea control ingredient used in Comfortis and Trifexis (also called Vethical AcuGuard and ComboGuard). See Ivermectin Sensitivity below for more information.
An Ivermectin powder product that was mixed with ground corn and designed for pigs appears to have been discontinued.
Keep Ivomec and any unused mixture refrigerated and protected from light. The length of time the diluted mixture will remain potent is unknown. It is safest to mix each batch fresh, just before using. Ivermectin is sensitive to ultraviolet light and should be stored in the dark or by placing containers in an opaque bag.
Ivermectin Sensitivity
Note that the dosages listed below are the same as is used in Heartgard, but it's safe to give a little more. For example, when using Heartgard Green for dogs weighing 26 to 50 pounds, the dosage used is calculated for a 50-pound dog, while a 26-pound dog would get twice as much per pound of body weight. Heartgard Blue is used for dogs weighing up to 25 pounds, so a 5-pound dog would get five times as much per pound of body weight as a 25-pound dog would. Dosages as high as 50 to 100 times the amount used to prevent heartworms are used to treat mites on dogs (demodectic mange).
High dosages of ivermectin are considered safe for all dogs except those with the MDR1 gene mutation that makes them sensitive to ivermectin and other drugs. Commonly affected breeds include the Collie, Australian Shepherd (all sizes), Shetland Sheepdog, English Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, McNab, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Long-haired Whippet, and Silken Windhound. Mixed-breed dogs can also be affected. There is now a test available to screen for the presence of the mutated MDR1 gene that causes this problem, see Dogs with a Drug Problem for more information.
If your dog is a purebred or mixed-breed from one of the breeds above, or a mixed-breed of unknown parentage, and has not been tested for the MDR1 mutation, be very cautious using high doses of ivermectin for treating demodex, sarcoptic mange, or other parasites. Start with no more than one-third the regular dose for the first few days and monitor your dog closely. Stop the drug immediately if you see any signs of neurologic toxicity, including uncoordination or loss of balance (ataxia), depression, disorientation, excess salivation, pupil dilation, nystagmus (abnormal movement of the eyes), blindness, tremors, recumbency (inability to get up), or coma. Get your dog to a vet for supportive care if signs are severe or prolonged.
Very high doses of ivermectin, such as are used to treat demodex, are also problematic if combined with products that contain spinosad, such as Comfortis and Trifexis (also called Vethical AcuGuard and ComboGuard). Spinosad is a newer flea-control ingredient that increases the risk of neurological side effects from ivermectin. Dogs infected with heartworms may suffer an anaphylactic reaction from the death of too many microfilariae at once when given very high doses of ivermectin as well.
Ivermectin Efficacy
Recent information has come to light that Heartgard may be only 95% effective, rather than 100% effective, in preventing heartworm infections. That means it will destroy 95% of heartworm larvae, not that 95% of dogs receiving Heartgard will remain heartworm-free.
The dosage of ivermectin used in Heartgard was the lowest found to be 100% effective at killing heartworm larvae when the product was originally approved. Since lower doses were less effective, it's possible that higher doses may continue to be 100% effective.
Higher doses of ivermectin are safe for all dogs except those with the MDR1 mutation. Dosages as high as 50 times the amount used to prevent heartworms are used to treat mites on dogs (demodectic mange). Very high dosages may also be problematic for dogs infected with Heartworms, and those being treated with Comfortis. See Ivermectin Sensitivity above for more information.
It may be best to double the amount of ivermectin you give your dogs in order to potentially provide better protection from heartworm infection. Again, this does not apply to dogs with the MDR1 mutation.
Note that higher doses of ivermectin are unlikely to be more effective against the resistant strain of heartworms that has been identified in the Mississippi River Valley. See New Information Regarding Heartworm Resistance for details.
Directions for using ivermectin 1% solution undiluted
Warning!
Ivermectin in high doses can be dangerous, even fatal, to dogs, especially those with the MDR1 mutation (see Ivermectin Sensitivity above), but even healthy dogs can be harmed if the dosage is high enough. Ivermectin solutions almost always must be diluted in order to provide appropriate dosages for heartworm prevention.
DO NOT USE UNDILUTED IVERMECTIN unless you are very careful to follow the instructions below, and you have either a large dog or know for certain that your dog does not have the MDR1 mutation. Note that the common recommendation to give 0.1 cc undiluted ivermectin per 10 pounds of body weight provides 37 times the amount of ivermectin needed for heartworm prevention. This dosage would be extremely dangerous for dogs with ivermectin sensitivity.
Ivermectin in high doses can be dangerous, even fatal, to dogs, especially those with the MDR1 mutation (see Ivermectin Sensitivity above), but even healthy dogs can be harmed if the dosage is high enough. Ivermectin solutions almost always must be diluted in order to provide appropriate dosages for heartworm prevention.
DO NOT USE UNDILUTED IVERMECTIN unless you are very careful to follow the instructions below, and you have either a large dog or know for certain that your dog does not have the MDR1 mutation. Note that the common recommendation to give 0.1 cc undiluted ivermectin per 10 pounds of body weight provides 37 times the amount of ivermectin needed for heartworm prevention. This dosage would be extremely dangerous for dogs with ivermectin sensitivity.
If you use ivermectin 1% solution undiluted, the dosage will be higher than is needed for heartworm prevention. This is safe for most dogs, as long as they do not have the MDR1 mutation that causes sensitivity to ivermectin, and as long as the ivermectin is not combined with spinosad, a flea control ingredient used in Comfortis and Trifexis (also called Vethical AcuGuard and ComboGuard). See Ivermectin Sensitivity above for more information.
Ivemectin is given orally (never use pour-on solutions for heartworm prevention).
Dosage using Ivermectin 1% solution undiluted for heartworm prevention: give 1 drop (one-half of 0.1 cc). This amount will provide more ivermectin than is needed for heartworm prevention, as follows:
10 pounds: 1 drop provides 18 times the minimum dosage
20 pounds: 1 drop provides 9 times the minimum dosage
30 pounds: 1 drop provides 6 times the minimum dosage
40 pounds: 1 drop provides 5 times the minimum dosage
50 pounds: 1 drop provides 4 times the minimum dosage
60-70 pounds: 1 drop provides 3 times the minimum dosage
80-100 pounds: 1 drop provides 2 times the minimum dosage.
1 cc of ivermectin 1% undiluted contains 10,000 mcg; 0.1 cc = 1,000 mcg, 1 drop = approx 500 mcg ivermectin.
The exact dosage is 0.00272 ml (approximately 0.003 cc) per 10 pounds of body weight.
Ivomec Dosage Instructions for Heartworm Prevention
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