Revolution is a monthly heartworm preventive for cats and dogs that also both controls and prevents fleas. MyPetsDoctor.com’s Dr. James W. Randolph recommends this Pfizer Animal Health medication for many of his canine and feline patients in his own private practice in Long Beach, MS.
Heartworm infestation can lead to heart failure and death
Heartworm disease is a life-threatening parasitic infestation for both species. However, it presents as a very different syndrome in dogs compared to cats.
In dogs the disease is fairly gradual, and from the initial time of infestation to death may be a year or more.
In cats, however, sudden death is one of the most commonly observed syndromes associated with heartworm disease.
That’s because Dirofilaria immitis, the scientific name of the heartworm parasite, is a usual parasite in the dog but an aberrant parasite in the cat. So, dogs tolerate the parasite fairly well and damage to the heart, lungs and pulmonary arteries progresses slowly but persistently.
In your kitty, however, violent reactions occur immediately in the pre-adult larval stages of heartworm infestation. By the time as few as 1-3 heartworms become adults, the reactions may progress to acute pulmonary edema (lungs filling with fluid) and death. Other, more tolerant cats, may suffer months or years of asthma-like signs and sub-lethal pulmonary edema, as well as a multitude of other possible problems.
Humans, too, may become infected with D. immitis. As another aberrant host, heartworms may do bizarre things in people, such as infect the eye, brain and abdominal organs. Fortunately, infestation of people is a rarity, and people don’t need to be on heartworm preventives.
I can’t overemphasize: All cats need to be on heartworm preventive! Let’s look at it from a risk/benefit standpoint.
On the risk side you have a disease (1) that will almost assuredly kill your cat, (2) for which there is no approved or effective treatment and, (3) which, even if it isn’t fatal, could easily cost you thousands of dollars and your cat untold suffering treating non-lethal episodes.
On the benefit side, (1) it’s incredibly easy to prevent with monthly medication, (2) the monthly medication is inexpensive, and, (3) Revolution also provides both flea control and flea prevention!
In the modern vernacular, it’s a no-brainer!
What is flea control and what is flea prevention?
Revolution provides flea control by killing adult fleas. Alone, that would be pretty good.
But, flea prevention involves killing the egg and larva stages of the pre-adult flea, so those will never be able to mature and become adult, biting fleas. The more fleas killed in this stage the better, as it’s the bite of the flea that hurts and causes anemia from blood loss.
To summarize, Revolution is a monthly medication from Pfizer Animal Health, approved for use in dogs and cats for prevention of Dirofilaria immitis heartworm infestation, killing adult fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae. It is colorless, odorless easy to use.
Contact your pet’s doctor to find out whether it’s right for your dog or cat.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
can I buy the revolution through you thank you and how much would it be
Thank you for an excellent question. There are three parts to the answer:
1. We’re not a pharmaceutical site, so we don’t sell anything.
2. Revolution is a prescription medication, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, just like every pharmaceutical at Rite Aid. In order for heartworm preventives to be dispensed the dispensing veterinarian has to have examined your pet and ensured that he is healthy enough to use a prescription medication. In the case of dogs, this also means he needs to have had a heartworm test within the last 6 months. If your pet has not been on heartworm preventive, or has missed doses, he would be at risk for having a bad, even possibly fatal reaction to the medication.
3. I would suggest that you not purchase pharmaceuticals online, especially from people you don’t know. In my case, I’m the nicest, most ethical person you could ever meet, but not everyone online is. Your local veterinarian, however, is someone you know and trust. He may charge more for Revolution, but at least you know you’re getting REVOLUTION, and not a vial full of water, or worse. I hope this answers your concerns.
Best wishes,
Dr. Randolph
I gave first dose ever of Revolution to my 11 yr. old Boston Terrier on June 1. On June 4 she had bloody diarrhea. There have been no dietary changes. She does not appear to be sick. Is the diarrhea from Revolution? If so, how long will it last? If so, should I skip the July dose?
I am likely the world’s biggest fan of Revolution. That said, I’m also the first to recognize that there are a few, rare problems with Revolution. However, if diarrhea is one of them, I’ve never seen it. It’s far more likely that this is mere coincidence. Most importantly, if diarrhea has continued since June 1 your Boston needs to see his doctor TODAY! If the diarrhea has stopped on its own and his appetite and activity remain normal there should be no more worry. In the unlikely case of recurrence of diarrhea after the July dose your local veterinarian must be contacted. I would like to have an update then, too. As I mentioned, I’ve never seen Revolution-associated diarrhea.
Thanks for writing, Dr. Randolph.