Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) and American Heartworm Society (AHS) announced updates to their heartworm protocols and guidelines for veterinarians. The changes were prompted by new data on heartworm prevention, treatment, and diagnosis.

The Animal Health division of Bayer HealthCare also recommended these guideline changes to veterinarians.

The revised guidelines by the AHS called for year-round preventive measures and support the administration of macrocyclic lactones and doxycycline before adulticide therapy. The guidelines also reinforced the need for microfilaria and antigen testing, and referenced the approval of Bayer’s Advantage Multi for Dogs by the FDA. This product is a combination of moxidentin and imidacloprid and the only product now labeled for microfilaria treatment in heartworm-positive dogs in the US.

The company’s Veterinary Technical Services Director, Cristiano von Simson, said, “At Bayer, we commend these two organizations for their decision to revise their recommendations.”

Von Simpson said, “These updated guidelines, and the FDA's recognition of the importance of treating microfilaria, will strengthen capability of veterinarians in reducing the incidence and severity of heartworm disease in dogs.”