The maker of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) launches initiative to combat rising incidence rates of heartworm disease

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 21, 2019) – Heartworm disease can be deadly but it can also be easily prevented. A recent report from the American Heartworm Society (AHS) shows incidence rates are on the rise in the United States.¹ To help reverse this trend the maker of HEARTGARD Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) is launching Heartworm 2020 – an initiative dedicated to increasing the number of dogs receiving heartworm disease prevention in 2019.

The AHS conducts incidence rate surveys every three years and the latest data shows a 21 percent increase in positive heartworm tests per clinic.² Heartworm 2020 is challenging each veterinary clinic to add 20 new dogs on heartworm disease prevention by January 1, 2020.

“We knew we could help increase the number of dogs that are receiving heartworm disease prevention,” said Sarah Cloud, HEARTGARD Brand Director. “Heartworm 2020 addresses this issue at the grassroots level by asking everyone in the veterinary clinic to participate. If every clinic does their part to get 20 new dogs on prevention that means 583,240 more dogs will be protected from this potentially deadly disease in 2019 than were protected in 2018.”

To help clinics achieve the Heartworm 2020 goal, HEARTGARD Plus will provide heartworm disease education tools and incentives for pet owners. Clinics will also receive helpful tracking tools and educational resources for staff members. Beginning in March, each clinic that participates can also enter into the Heartworm 2020 contest for a chance to win great prizes for your clinic and clinic staff.

“Helping clinics educate pet owners on the on-going risks of heartworm disease is the first step in increasing the number of dogs on prevention,” said Zach Mills, DVM, and Head of US Pet Veterinary Professional Services. “There is still a perception that heartworm disease doesn’t impact certain regions of the country or that dogs are only at risk during the summer months, and the AHS data indicates that just isn’t the case. Heartworm 2020 will help educate pet owners on heartworm disease so that they understand why prevention is so important.”

To learn more about the Heartworm 2020 initiative and HEARTGARD Plus, visit HeartgardClinic.com or contact your BI Sales Representative.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) is well tolerated. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Following the use of HEARTGARD Plus, digestive and neurological side effects have rarely been reported. For more information, please see full prescribing information or visit www.HeartgardClinic.com.

References

1. Heartworm Incidence Maps. American Heartworm Society website. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/incidence-maps Accessed January 9, 2019.

2. American Heartworm Society Releases 2018 Canine Heartworm Guidelines. American Heartworm Society website. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/newsroom/in-the-news/511-american-heartworm-societyreleases-2018-canine-heartworm-guidelines. Accessed December 19, 2018.

HEARTGARD® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.

©2019 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. PET-1171- HGD0119