Heartworm 2020 aims to boost number of protected dogs by half a million

In the wake of a recent report from the American Heartworm Society (AHS) showing a 21 percent rise in heartworm incidence in three years, the maker of Heartgard Plus (ivermectin-pyrantel) has kicked off Heartworm 2020, a campaign designed to increase the number of dogs receiving heartworm prevention in 2019.

The gist? Heartworm 2020 is challenging each veterinary clinic to add 20 new dogs on year-round heartworm disease prevention by Jan. 1, 2020, according to materials from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, the manufacturer of Heartgard Plus. The program officially kicked off during the VMX conference in Orlando, Florida, in January.

“If every clinic does their part to get 20 new dogs on prevention, that means 583,240 more dogs will be protected from this potentially deadly disease in 2019 than were protected in 2018,” says Sarah Cloud, Heartgard brand director, in a release from Boehringer Ingelheim.

To help clinics meet the Heartworm 2020 goal, the company is providing heartworm disease education tools and incentives for pet owners. Clinics will also receive tracking tools and educational resources for team members. Starting in March, each clinic that participates can enter the Heartworm 2020 contest for a chance to win prizes for the clinic and for veterinary team members. Examples of potential prizes include a top-of-the-line washer-dryer set and a Roomba robot vacuum-items that can be used at home or in the clinic-company representatives told dvm360.

“There is still a perception that heartworm disease doesn't impact certain regions of the country or that dogs are only at risk during the summer months, and the AHS data indicates that just isn't the case,” says Zach Mills, DVM, head of US Pet Veterinary Professional Services for Boehringer Ingelheim, in the release. “Heartworm 2020 will help educate pet owners on heartworm disease so that they understand why prevention is so important.”

More information about the Heartworm 2020 initiative is available at heartgardclinic.com or from company sales representatives.