How Much Does ProHeart 12 Cost?

ProHeart 12 is an injectable heartworm preventative that provides year-long protection with a single dose. But how much does this convenient parasite prevention medication cost for dog owners? Let's break down what goes into the price.

How Much Does ProHeart 12 Cost?

ProHeart 12 can range in cost quite broadly, from around $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) on the low end up to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) or more per dose. What makes for this wide range? There are several factors that contribute to the total ProHeart 12 cost:

• Dog's weight - The required injection volume is based on body weight, with larger dogs needing more.
• Vet clinic pricing - Each vet sets their own ProHeart 12 price based on local factors. Urban clinics tend to charge 20-30% more than rural ones.
• Included services - Some vets bundle the injection cost with an exam, heartworm test, bloodwork, vaccines, etc. Others charge separately.
• Medication markup - Vets pay a wholesale rate for ProHeart 12 and add a standard markup, around 100-150%.
• Geographic region - Average costs are slightly higher in parts of the Northeast and West Coast. Prices vary across the country.

As shown in the table above, ProHeart 12 typically costs $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour)-75 for smaller breeds, $80 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage)-150 for mid-sized dogs, and over $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for giant breeds. Pricing is highly dependent on weight.

According to Pop-Up Pet Vax, prices start at $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) for dogs up to 25 lbs, $90 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) for 26–50 lbs, $130 (≈1.1 days of your career at $15/hour) for 51–75 lbs, and $170 (≈1.4 days of labor to afford this at $15/hour) for 76–100 lbs, with an additional $2 per pound for dogs over 100 lbs. Similarly, Low Cost Pet Vax lists ProHeart 12 at $70 (≈4.7 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) for under 25 lbs, $95 (≈6.3 hours working without breaks at $15/hour) for 26–50 lbs, $120 (≈1 day working for this purchase at $15/hour) for 51–75 lbs, and $145 (≈1.2 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) for 76–100 lbs.

Other providers, like Penny Paws Animal Clinic, report prices starting at $80 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) for 0–25 lbs, $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for 26–50 lbs, $130 (≈1.1 days of your career at $15/hour) for 51–100 lbs, and $150+ (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for larger dogs. At Trail Pet Hospital in Dallas, the cost is $77.50 (≈5.2 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for under 25 lbs, $103.50 (≈6.9 hours spent earning money at $15/hour) for 25.1–50 lbs, $123.50 (≈1 day working without breaks at $15/hour) for 50.1–75 lbs, and $200.04 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour) for 75.1–100 lbs, with dogs over 100 lbs costing $213.36 (≈1.8 days of consecutive work at a $15/hour job).

Across most clinics, the typical price range for ProHeart 12 is $60 to $80 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) for small dogs, $90 to $105 (≈7 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) for medium dogs, $120 to $130 (≈1.1 days of your career at $15/hour) for large dogs, and up to $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour) or more for extra-large dogs. These prices generally include the cost of the injection itself but may not include the required heartworm test or exam fees. Always check with your local veterinarian for exact pricing and any additional charges.

What is ProHeart 12?

ProHeart 12 is an annual injectable drug for preventing heartworm disease in dogs. It contains the active ingredient moxidectin and is labeled to protect dogs from worms for 12 months with a single injection.

ProHeart 12 is a prescription-only medication, meaning it can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian. It is manufactured and marketed by the pharmaceutical company Zoetis and was first approved by the FDA in 2001.

Unlike monthly heartworm chews or pills, ProHeart 12 provides a full year of protection from a single vet visit. But the injection comes at a higher upfront cost than monthly preventatives.

How Does ProHeart 12 Work?

The active ingredient in ProHeart 12 is moxidectin, a parasiticidal agent that kills tissue larval stages of heartworms.

Moxidectin is slowly released from the injection site and absorbed into the bloodstream, providing 12 months of heartworm prevention. It disables and kills migrating larvae before they develop into adult heartworms.

ProHeart 12 is given by veterinarians via intramuscular injection, typically in a dog's lumbar muscle. The injection takes effect within 24 hours and maintains protective blood levels of moxidectin for a full year.

Comparison to Monthly Preventatives

Compared to monthly heartworm pills or chews, ProHeart 12 carries a higher upfront cost but provides full 12-month protection from just one vet visit. Over a year, costs can even out.

For example, Heartgard Plus for a 50 lb dog averages $90/year with 12 monthly doses. One ProHeart 12 injection for the same dog would run around $100-120 as an annual cost.

However, ProHeart prevents any gaps from missed doses, and you make just one trip to the vet instead of 12. Here's a breakdown of other common heartworm prevention options and their yearly costs:

• Heartgard Plus: $90-120 per year
• Simparica Trio: $130-270 per year
• Interceptor Plus: $120-180 per year
• ProHeart 12: $100-150 per year

ProHeart 12 offers compliance and convenience benefits for owners who occasionally miss monthly doses. The single annual injection reliably protects for all 12 months in one visit.

Also check out our articles on the cost of Convenia injections, Cytopoint injections, and blood transfusions for your dog.

Is ProHeart 12 Worth the Cost?

Is ProHeart 12 worth the higher single dose investment compared to monthly heartworm pills? For most owners, the answer is yes for the following reasons:

• No gaps in protection - Set it and forget it for 12 months with ProHeart. No need to remember monthly doses.
• Single low-hassle dose - Just one quick annual vet trip instead of 12 for monthly preventatives.
• Proven safety & efficacy - Over 20 years of positive clinical use and FDA approval. Highly effective and safe for most dogs.
• Vet recommendations - Many vets strongly recommend ProHeart 12 for the reliability and compliance benefits.
• Owner convenience - Avoid chasing down monthly pills and the stress of lapsed doses. ProHeart takes care of protection for the year.

According to veterinary experts, the advantages and reliability of ProHeart 12 make it a wise investment for owners who can afford the single higher cost compared to monthly options. The year-long assurance of protection provides peace of mind.

Potential Side Effects and Warnings

Most dogs tolerate ProHeart 12 well, but some possible side effects can occur:

• Local injection site reactions (pain, swelling, itching)
• Lethargy or lack of appetite for 1-2 days
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Rare hypersensitivity reactions are possible, ranging from mild hives to severe anaphylaxis in extremely sensitive animals. ProHeart 12 is not recommended for dogs with pre-existing allergies or health conditions.

Puppies under 6 months old should not receive ProHeart due to increased risk of reactions. Careful veterinary screening is important to safely administer ProHeart injections.

Where to Get ProHeart 12 Injections

Since it is a prescription medication, ProHeart 12 is only available from licensed veterinary clinics and hospitals. It cannot be purchased from regular pharmacies or retailers without a prescription.

Pet owners have two options for obtaining ProHeart 12:

1. Make an appointment with your vet for a heartworm prevention consultation, exam, and ProHeart 12 injection administered on-site. This is the most convenient method.
2. Have your vet prescribe ProHeart 12 and then buy the injectable vials from an online pet pharmacy. Then make a follow-up vet visit for injection administration. This may save money but requires two trips.

Use the ProHeart 12 locator tool to find veterinary clinics in your area that stock and prescribe this 12-month heartworm shot.

Cost Considerations and Ways to Save

• Enroll in preventative care membership programs offered by some vet chains to receive discounts on ProHeart 12 and other services. This can save 10-15%.
• Ask your vet about any current ProHeart promotions or coupons. Zoetis occasionally offers rebates. Vets may also run periodic sales on ProHeart 12 injections.
• Check if you qualify for manufacturer rebates. Zoetis provides a $15 rebate per dose for low-income dog owners and shelters. Terms and conditions apply.
• Compare prices locally. Call around to different veterinary clinics in your region to shop for the best ProHeart 12 price based on your dog’s weight.
• Consider paying wholesale cost. Some vets will allow you to buy ProHeart vials wholesale direct from Zoetis and then just pay the injection fee. This avoids medication markup.
• Apply for financing. Vets may offer payment plans like CareCredit to help spread out the one-time ProHeart 12 cost over several manageable monthly payments if needed.

Conclusion

For most dog owners, the higher upfront cost of ProHeart 12 is well worth the convenience, reliability, and peace of mind of year-round heartworm prevention from one injection. No more worrying about monthly doses!

However, proper veterinary guidance is crucial when using this prescription-only medication. Pet owners should discuss with their vet if ProHeart 12 is the right fit for their dog's age, weight, and health profile. Shop around locally for the best pricing.

Answers to Common Questions

How does ProHeart last so long?

ProHeart contains the active moxidectin, which is slowly absorbed from the injection site and maintains protective levels in the bloodstream for a full 12 months. It has a long-lasting preventative effect against heartworm larvae.

How many days is ProHeart 12 good for?

A single ProHeart 12 injection protects dogs from heartworms for 12 months (365 days). It starts working within 24 hours and maintains efficacy for a full year from one dose.

Why was ProHeart taken off the market?

The original ProHeart 6 formula was voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer back in 2004 due to a higher than acceptable rate of allergic reactions. It was reintroduced in 2008 as ProHeart 12 with a new formulation and additional veterinary precautions to improve safety.