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Humane Society of Greater Rochester

Heart-to-Heart Adoption Program


Lollypop Farm has partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) for an exciting life-saving adoption program. Some dogs that come to Lollypop Farm are diagnosed in our veterinary clinic with a life-threatening condition called heartworm disease. This serious disease is difficult and costly to treat. The cost of treatment for these pets, and others like them, have been paid for thanks to the generosity of Boehringer Ingelheim. Dogs treated for heartworm at Lollypop Farm will also have their adoption fee waived and will be going home with a year’s supply of a heartworm preventative called HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) to help keep them protected in their new home. 

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Dogs can be infected when bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic baby worms picked up after the mosquito bit another infected animal. Dogs are a natural host of heartworms meaning these microscopic worms can grow into foot-long worms that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. If untreated, their numbers can increase to potentially several hundred worms causing lasting damage and can be fatal.

Treatment

Lollypop Farm treats heartworm-positive dogs over the course of several months. Since heartworm affects the heart and lungs, often leaving damage in the wake throughout the treatment process, it is important to restrict exercise, minimize stress, and stabilize any symptoms the dog is currently facing. The severity of the disease often determines the length of treatment required.

The cost of treatment for these pets, and others like them, have been paid for thanks to the generosity of Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel).

Heart-to-Heart Adoptions

Not only is Boehringer Ingelheim helping to pay for the life-saving treatment of these pets and others like them, but every pet treated for heartworm while at Lollypop Farm will be going home for FREE and a year’s supply of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) to help keep them healthy and happy in their new home. That means when you adopt a pet from the Heart-to-Heart program:

  • Your adoption fee will be waived
  • You will receive a year’s supply of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) preventative care
  • Every pet receives a special rose gold Heart-to-Heart tag to commemorate being heartworm free
  • You will have a lifetime of love with your pet

*Heartworm-positive pets may be made available for adoption before treatment completion. In these cases, Lollypop Farm will continue to treat the pet’s condition through the Lollypop Farm Kingenstein Veterinary Clinic at no cost to the pet’s adopter.

HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel)

HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) Chews for Dogs is a heartworm preventative that kills heartworms and helps treat and control roundworms and hookworms. It comes in a delicious once-a-month, real-beef chew that dogs love and is safe for puppies 6 weeks and older. Head back to the dog park, reassured that your dog is protected from nasty parasites with this heartworm preventative that’s trusted over 2 billion times! Your furry friend must have a current heartworm test result on file with your veterinarian to be prescribed heartworm medication. Please visit your veterinarian to have this test performed annually to protect your four-legged friend.

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 been reported. For more information, click here for full prescribing information.

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