Here in Texas, a major threat to a dog’s health is heartworm disease. The disease, which can be fatal, is not a pretty sight. Worms, which can grow up to 14-inches long, grow in an animal's heart and pulmonary arteries, damaging the heart and lungs and cutting off blood flow.

The good news is heartworm disease is 100 percent preventable! The bad news is a recent product recall means veterinarians no longer have the option to choose the treatment best for their clients.

The product is ProHeart 6, a six-month injectable used to prevent canine heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, and to treat existing larval and adult stages of the canine hookworm, Acylostoma caninum.

Voss Road Animal Hospital supports ProHeart 6 as an important tool in the fight against heartworm disease because the six-month shot increased pet owner compliance. The truth is many pet owners forget to give the monthly pills or miss doses altogether. One missed dose is all it takes for a dog to get heartworm disease.

ProHeart 6 has a strong safety record. Since 2001, more than 18 million doses of ProHeart 6 have been sold to veterinarians nationwide with minimal side effects. Here at Voss Road, we have given between 6 and 7 thousand doses of ProHeart 6 with only one adverse reaction. Because of this track record, we believe the drug is effective and safe.

Join us in urging the FDA to conduct a thorough review of all the scientific data, validate ProHeart 6’s proven safety record, and immediately return this valuable product to the veterinary industry.

Ben Tharp, D.V.M.
Voss Road Animal Hospital

To see what other veterinarians and pet owners are saying about the ProHeart 6 recall, go to the following websites:

www.preventheartworm.com

www.petloversforproheart6.com

PET OWNERS CAN CONTACT THE FDA AND CONGRESS AND ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING:

1) Pet owners may share their personal experiences about the product’s safety and performance.

2) Address the positive impact the product has had on the health and well being of their dog.

3) Urge the FDA to select and convene an independent advisory panel to ensure a fair and impartial review and evaluation of the data.

If you are concerned that your dog will not receive the proper heartworm prevention as a result of the recent voluntary recall of ProHeart 6, email a message today about why you want ProHeart 6 available for your pet and other pets nationwide to Lester Crawford, DVM, PhD, FDA Deputy Commissioner at: d.commissioner@fda.hhs.gov and Dr. Stephen Sundlof, Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at: Stephen.sundlof@fda.hhs.gov .

FDA CONTACTS
Lester Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D. Deputy Commissioner U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Phone: 301-827-2410
Fax: 301-443-3100
Email: d.commissioner@fda.hhs.gov

Dr. Stephen Sundlof Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine
Phone: 301-827-2950
Fax: 301-827-4401
Internet e-mail: Stephen.sundlof@fda.hhs.gov

CONTACT CONGRESS
Members of Congress also need to know about your concerns. Write a message on why you want ProHeart 6 available for your pet and other pets nationwide, then enter your zip code below to find out who your elected officials are and their email or fax address.

For more information on how to write your Congressman, go to www.congress.org