Heartgard vs. Revolution?

Hello fellow cat owners! 

We just went to the vet to get Ella her last shots for the rest of her kittenhood, and we got a free sample of Revolution. I'm still skeptical of what vets give to my cat, which is also why it took me forever to find a reasonable priced recombinant rabies vaccine. But anyway, I really want Ella to have heart-worm prevention, and I want the safest, yet still effective, medication given to her. What are your experiences with Heartgard and Revolution? Are neither of them safe? Will there be any adverse side effects to either of them?

I'd really love to hear your experiences with these medications. I just want the best for my kitten. 

I've always used Revolution on my cats and never had any ill effects.  Since all my cats are indoor-only, we apply every other month rather than monthly.

allicat18 said:

What are your experiences with Heartgard and Revolution? Are neither of them safe? Will there be any adverse side effects to either of them?

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There is always the risk of an adverse reaction with any prescription medicine. Talk to your vet about your concerns.

For many cats, Revolution and Heartgard and other medicines are safe to use as prescribed. Some cats may show minor reactions. My Aby got non-itchy bald spots on his head and ears when the vet had him on Revolution. The vet switched my Aby to Heartgard even though that medicine doesn't protect against fleas and mites. I still use Revolution for my other cat. My cat are indoor only.

I think Revolution is one of the greatest things since sliced bread, honestly.

It's surprisingly non-toxic at the doses recommended.  It prevents HW, kills fleas, ear mites, and some intestinal parasites too.  It's liquid so it's easy for rescues, for example, to buy the large dog pack and dole out accordingly.  My vet has even ok'd its use on rats with mites.  I've NEVER had a poor reaction to it, and I've used it off-label (ex. kittens under 8 weeks).  I've used it on 3-4 week old kittens...as long as you dose accordingly to weight, I doubt you would get any issues.

Obviously if your cat reacts poorly to it, then don't continue usage, but the above poster was actually the first time I've heard that there was an issue with selamectin.

I am not usually this gung-ho on combo products.  Most of the dog combos I won't use because they're not approved / caution for dogs with seizure activity, and I still have one of those.  Revolution is my buddy, though.

Heartgard is cheaper, for what that's worth, but you'd still probably want a flea product, and then you're looking at two monthly dosages instead of one.  And I know that's how they market the dog combos, so it's not a huge pull for me, but depending on pricing, it may be cheaper just to do the Revolution.

Heartgard (ivermectin) is similar chemically to Revolution (selamectin), so it's not like you're looking at different routes of action...I would guess that as far as safety goes they're about similar too but I don't have the literature to back that up.

Hello!  I cannot speak for other cats, but I have used Revolution monthly for Speedy since adopting her in 2012.  She is an indoor cat that goes outside on the harness from about March to November.  We do walk through wooded areas and tall grass.   I have never seen her get a tick, she has never had fleas and she is free of worms, so I am happy that I can spare her of those problems.  

When I apply the Revolution, I get the tube ready and find a spot ready on her neck so I can do it quick, but the only thing I think she does not like is that for a second she can feel the solution hit her neck.  She is fine immediately afterward.  I give her a treat.

I have a lot of cat friends at work who use over-the-counter flea products, and some are saying they are having flea and tick problems this year.  

These are just my experiences.  Also, welcome to TCS, this is a great site!  I look forward to seeing you in the forums and Ella Too!  Best wishes from Marianne and Speedy!    

Thanks, everyone! Ella is an indoor cat too, so is it worth it to get Revolution? She doesn't live with any other animals and we live in an apartment. My best guess is that Revolution is the best way to stay safe, though.

allicat18 said:

 
Thanks, everyone! Ella is an indoor cat too, so is it worth it to get Revolution? She doesn't live with any other animals and we live in an apartment. My best guess is that Revolution is the best way to stay safe, though.

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I think it's still a good idea to apply it every once in a while. I'm paranoid that people may track bugs into the home, as I've experienced my cat getting sick after a friend who owns two outdoor cats came over to my house for a visit. I know that's not connected to the issues Revolution prevents from, but it's better safe than sorry. 

allicat18 said:

 
Thanks, everyone! Ella is an indoor cat too, so is it worth it to get Revolution? She doesn't live with any other animals and we live in an apartment. My best guess is that Revolution is the best way to stay safe, though.

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I can understand these questions you are thinking about.   If Speedy were totally inside I might really question whether it was necessary.  I would still use it on Speedy though, because, although I do not have a big mouse problem in my house, sometimes in the fall, I will find one in the attic, onetime, a mole in the cellar, so I do not want to take the chance of her dealing with one and picking up parasites that I may pick up, too.   I worry about things like that.  

I am very glad that she never has had fleas or ticks.  

The Revolution site has some reasons listed on why indoor cats should use the product,  and I do think some of the reasons are maybe stretching the limits but,  as I said, I do not want to have to deal with internal parasites from a mouse or mole.

I think it's great you are thinking about what is right for your little one.  Your question is leading me to lookup Heartguard, because I do not know about it.  Thanks!  I have to say, if I knew of a less expensive option that did the same things Revolution did, I would look into it.  I am on a very tight income and the Revolution is about $20 month, but I am going to start looking to buy it in larger amounts and get some doses free!

Again, welcome!!!!!!

raysmyheart said:

 
I can understand these questions you are thinking about.   If Speedy were totally inside I might really question whether it was necessary.  I would still use it on Speedy though, because, although I do not have a big mouse problem in my house, sometimes in the fall, I will find one in the attic, onetime, a mole in the cellar, so I do not want to take the chance of her dealing with one and picking up parasites that I may pick up, too.   I worry about things like that.  

I am very glad that she never has had fleas or ticks.  

The Revolution site has some reasons listed on why indoor cats should use the product,  and I do think some of the reasons are maybe stretching the limits but,  as I said, I do not want to have to deal with internal parasites from a mouse or mole.

I think it's great you are thinking about what is right for your little one.  Your question is leading me to lookup Heartguard, because I do not know about it.  Thanks!  I have to say, if I knew of a less expensive option that did the same things Revolution did, I would look into it.  I am on a very tight income and the Revolution is about $20 month, but I am going to start looking to buy it in larger amounts and get some doses free!

Again, welcome!!!!!!

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That's very true. While Ella does get dewormed often, we never really do anything about fleas. Plus, more coverage doesn't hurt. I found out about Heartguard through research, trying to find a recombinant vaccine. Merial is the company that makes Heartguard, along with the vaccines Ella receives. Also, Heartguard also tends to have more coupons available as well. Definitely Heartguard is cheaper than Revolution, but Revolution definitely covers more.