Interceptor Plus Chew for Dogs

Monthly Chicken-Flavored Chew for Protection Against All 5 Major Worms in Dogs

Product Description

Interceptor Plus is an FDA-approved, prescription-only once-monthly chicken-flavored chewable tablet for dogs and puppies weighing at least 2 lbs and 6 weeks or older. It combines milbemycin oxime and praziquantel to protect against all five of the most dangerous worm types in dogs: heartworm disease, adult hookworm, adult roundworm, adult whipworm, and adult tapeworm. It is the only monthly dog worm prevention product that pairs full heartworm and intestinal worm protection with tapeworm coverage.

Benefits

• Prevents Heartworm Disease: Milbemycin oxime stops Dirofilaria immitis larvae from maturing into adult heartworms with 100% effectiveness when given consistently.
• Treats and Controls Adult Tapeworms: Praziquantel targets four tapeworm species with 100% efficacy, an advantage over products that skip tapeworm coverage entirely.
• Treats and Controls Adult Roundworms: Clears Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina roundworm infections effectively in dogs of all sizes.
• Treats and Controls Adult Hookworms: Keeps Ancylostoma caninum hookworm infections under control in both dogs and puppies.
• Treats and Controls Adult Whipworms: Clears Trichuris vulpis whipworm infections, which are often missed by routine fecal tests in dogs.
• Chicken-Flavored Chewable: A real chicken-flavored chew that most dogs take willingly, keeping monthly dosing simple and low-stress.
• Safe for Small Puppies: Approved for puppies as young as 6 weeks old and weighing as little as 2 lbs.
• Year-Round or Seasonal Use: Can be given year-round or started within one month of first mosquito exposure and continued for six months after.

Ingredients

Composition Table

How to Use

Dosage & Administration Instructions

• Prescription Required: Interceptor Plus is an FDA-approved prescription product obtained through or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
• Monthly Oral Administration: Give one chewable tablet by mouth once a month, keeping the same date each month for consistent coverage.
• Offer by Hand or With Food: The chew can be given from your hand or tucked into a small amount of food; either works well.
• Encourage Chewing: Encouraging your dog to bite into the chew before swallowing is ideal, though the product works just as well if gulped down whole.
• Break Into Pieces if Needed: For dogs that gulp treats, break the chew into pieces as long as the entire dose is fully consumed.
• Watch After Dosing: Keep an eye on your dog after dosing to confirm the full tablet has been consumed; re-dose if any is rejected or lost.
• For Dogs Over 100 lbs: Your veterinarian will advise on which tablet sizes to combine to reach the correct total dose for dogs over 100 lbs.
• Missed Dose: If you notice a missed dose, go ahead and give it right away, then carry on with the regular monthly schedule; do not give two doses close together.
• Switching Products: Start Interceptor Plus no later than 30 days after your dog's last dose of the previous heartworm preventive.

Disclaimer: This dosage information is provided by the manufacturer. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any medication for your pet.

Additional Information

Precautions

• Test Before Starting: Dogs should be checked for existing heartworm infections before beginning, as Interceptor Plus does not kill adult heartworms.
• Not With Other Heartworm Medications: Never give Interceptor Plus alongside a different heartworm prevention product at the same time.
• Minimum Six Monthly Doses: Fewer than six consecutive monthly doses after last mosquito exposure may not deliver complete heartworm prevention.
• High Microfilariae Counts: Mild hypersensitivity reactions including vomiting, labored breathing, and lethargy have been reported in some microfilariae-positive dogs.
• Collies and MDR1 Dogs: Dogs with the MDR1 gene mutation may be more sensitive to this product; consult your vet before use in herding breeds.
• Seizure History: Always speak to your veterinarian before giving Interceptor Plus to any dog with a history of epilepsy or seizures.
• Breeding, Pregnant, and Lactating Dogs: Safety has not been confirmed in breeding or lactating females; milbemycin oxime can pass into milk and affect nursing puppies.
• Minimum Age and Weight: Not suitable for puppies younger than 6 weeks or any dog weighing under 2 lbs.
• Tapeworm Reinfection Risk: Dogs may become reinfected with Echinococcus multilocularis between monthly doses; good hygiene practices are also advisable in endemic areas.
• Keep Away from Children: This product is not for human use and must be stored out of children's reach at all times.

Possible Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal Upset: Vomiting, loose stools, and reduced appetite have been reported following administration of milbemycin oxime or praziquantel.
• Lethargy and Depression: A drop in energy and signs of low mood have been reported in some dogs after dosing.
• Neurological Signs: Loss of coordination, convulsions, and weakness have been reported; call your vet straight away if any appear.
• Salivation: Excessive drooling has been noted in some dogs following administration of this product.
• Visible Worm Expulsion: Worms passing in the stool after dosing is an expected sign that the product is working against intestinal parasites.
• Overdose: Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if you think your dog has taken more than the recommended dose.

Storage Information

• Room Temperature Storage: A standard room temperature environment works well; aim to keep the product within 59°F - 77°F (15°C - 25°C).
• Keep Away from Children and Pets: Store this prescription medication somewhere children and other animals simply cannot reach.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What parasites does Interceptor Plus protect dogs against?

Ans: Interceptor Plus delivers 5-in-1 worm protection. It prevents heartworm disease and treats adult hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and four species of adult tapeworm. It does not cover fleas, ticks, or sarcoptic mange, so additional products may be needed for those parasites.

Q2: How does Interceptor Plus differ from regular Interceptor?

Ans: Both products contain milbemycin oxime and cover heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm. Interceptor Plus adds praziquantel, which brings in coverage against four adult tapeworm species. Regular Interceptor Flavor Tabs do not contain praziquantel and offer no tapeworm protection.

Q3: Why does Interceptor Plus need at least six monthly doses for full heartworm prevention?

Ans: Controlled laboratory studies showed one or two consecutive monthly doses did not achieve 100% effectiveness against heartworm. Full protection was only confirmed after six consecutive monthly doses. Treatment must start within one month of first mosquito exposure and run for at least six months after the last.

Q4: Can Interceptor Plus be used in Collies and other herding breeds?

Ans: Testing in rough-coated Collies showed no adverse effects at up to four times the maximum label dose. Reactions only appeared at five times the dose, well above normal use. Dogs with the MDR1 gene mutation common in herding breeds may still be more sensitive, so checking with your vet first is advisable.

Q5: Is Interceptor Plus safe for pregnant or lactating dogs?

Ans: Safety in breeding or lactating females has not been fully confirmed. Studies showed milbemycin oxime passes into milk and can affect nursing puppies when given throughout the mating and weaning period. Always speak to your veterinarian before giving Interceptor Plus to a pregnant, breeding, or nursing dog.