Dirofen tablets for kittens and puppies 6 tablets 120 mg each

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The domestic drug Dirofen is one of the most effective in the line of anthelmintic drugs for pets. Dirofen for cats is produced by Api-San LLC. The instructions for use compiled by the manufacturer contain a detailed description of the composition, treatment regimen, contraindications and side effects. If necessary, the product can be replaced with drugs with similar components.

Release form and composition

Dirofen for cats is offered for oral use in three forms: suspension, paste, tablets. When choosing, it is necessary to base your pet’s preferences, its age, and also take into account the convenience of feeding the drug.

The drug in any form is stored at a positive temperature (from 0 to 25 degrees) away from direct sunlight

Dirofen suspension

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The liquid form of the medicine is a yellowish solution with a viscous, thick consistency. The suspension is bottled in plastic bottles of 6 or 7 ml. The package includes a syringe for dosing the drug.

The anthelmintic effect of the suspension is due to two active compounds: praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. Auxiliary components include food additives (E211, E951, E952), carboxymethylcellulose, pumpkin seed oil. The last ingredient improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, restores the mucous membrane and supplies the cat’s body with useful substances.

Pills

The solid form of the drug is available in the form of round, light yellow tablets. On one side there are perpendicular marks that make it easier to divide the tablet into two or four parts. The “AS” logo is embossed on the other side. Capsules are packaged in cell paper bags (2, 3, 4, 6 pieces) or in plastic jars (3, 6, 10, 20 pieces).

The weight of one tablet is 200 mg (for adult cats) or 120 mg (for kittens). The activity of the drug against worms is due to a combination of three substances: febantel, praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate. The homogeneous fraction of Dirofen tablet powder is supplemented with lactose, food additive E572, talc, microcrystalline cellulose.

Dirofen paste

The medicine in appearance is a pasty mass of a light yellow hue. The drug is packaged in polymer syringes of 6 ml and 7 ml. This form is convenient because the syringe helps to dose the product, determining the required amount in milligrams. The active compounds in the paste are the same as in the suspension: praziquantel and pyrantel. As supporting components, the paste contains pumpkin oil, as well as cyclomate saccharin, aspartame, and carboxymethylcellulose.

What are helminthiases?

Worm infestations are common in domestic dogs and cats - intestinal parasites are found even in pets that do not go outside and do not interact with other animals. Helminth eggs enter the gastrointestinal tract:

• on a walk - with street mud or water from puddles/street ponds;
• with food – raw fish/meat;
• upon contact with a sick animal;
• through intermediate hosts - ticks and fleas.

Common symptoms of helminthiasis are:

• causeless loss of appetite;
• digestive disorders - vomiting, diarrhea or constipation;
• bloating;
• decrease in body weight with a constant amount of food;
• lethargy, low physical activity;
• itching and rash in the anal area;
• difficulty swallowing, hiccups/cough;
• dull coat and excretion of helminths in feces.

These signs are nonspecific; the presence of parasites can only be confirmed by testing at a veterinary clinic.

Helminth infections are dangerous because they can:

• proceed without pronounced symptoms, “undermining” the health of an adult pet for a long time or disrupting the development of a puppy/kitten;
• give a clear clinical picture, making it difficult to identify other diseases.

“Unscheduled” destruction of existing parasites is necessary:

• 14 days before vaccination or surgery;
• when worms are detected in excrement;
• after eliminating fleas/ticks that carry helminth eggs;
• 90 days before mating (taking into account the expected date of vaccination).

Dosages

The amount of medicine that is considered sufficient to kill all the worms in the pet’s body is calculated by the weight of the animal. It is not recommended to exceed the indicated dose to avoid undesirable consequences. The dosage is also affected by the form of the drug:

• Dirofen tablets prescribed for kittens are given at the rate of 1 piece per 1 kilogram of weight.
• Tablets for adult cats are calculated from the proportion “one piece - 5 kg of weight”.
• The suspension is fed in an amount of 1 ml per 1 kg of animal body weight.
• The deworming paste has the same dosage as the liquid solution: 1 mg/1kg.

How does it work on parasites?

Dirofen for worms is a combination medicine. It is the complex composition that causes a wide range of effects on parasites. The anthelmintic is effective against mature worms and their larvae. Both roundworms and tapeworms are vulnerable to the action of the drug.

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Depending on the active substance, the mechanism of antiparasitic action differs. Praziquantel changes the degree of cell permeability in the body of the parasite and thereby increases the flow of calcium ions into the cells. This causes disruption of metabolism and water-salt metabolism. Pyrantel pamoate inhibits coenzymes involved in the transmission of nerve impulses to contractile fibers. The result of the combined action of poisons is paralysis of helminths and their death.

Febantel tablets complement the action of praziquantel and pamoate. This substance blocks one of the stages of helminth energy metabolism by disrupting the synthesis of necessary enzymes. As a result, the absorption of glucose in the body of the worms becomes impossible.

Indications for use

The drug is recommended for use in the treatment and prevention of helminthic infestations. The product fights a wide range of internal parasites:

• roundworms (nematodes) - toxocaras, toxascarids, hookworms, uncinaria, whipworms;
• flatworms (cestodes) - echinococcus, mesocystoids, bovine, pork and cucumber tapeworms, broad tapeworm.

Also components of the drug:

• effective against mixed helminthiases - the simultaneous presence of nematodes and cestodes;
• do not increase the resistance of intestinal parasites to treatment - therefore, it is not addictive;
• penetrate tissue structures, including the central nervous system;
• act on parasites at all stages of development - a single dose is sufficient for prevention.

Instructions for use of Dirofen

The anthelmintic is given to the animal at the first feeding in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach. Preliminary fasting or taking laxatives does not affect the result of treatment. The calculated dose of tablets is placed in food (a piece of meat, fish, cheese or minced meat). A convenient device for feeding capsules is an introducer (tablet dispenser). In some cases, the tablet is turned into a powder and diluted with a small amount of water. The suspension is drawn into a syringe and the contents are squeezed onto the root of the pet’s tongue. In the same way (from a syringe) the cat is given Dirofen paste and suspension.

The instructions indicate that preventive treatment against helminths with Dirofen must be carried out every three months. When treating cases of severe helminthic infestation, the drug is given twice with an interval of 10-12 days. Growing kittens are dewormed at 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks. Further, the scheme includes the 4th, 5th and 6th months. Then veterinarians advise following the instructions and giving the drug as prescribed - once every three months.

It is more convenient to combine routine deworming with vaccinations, since 10 days before vaccination the animal must be treated for worms

Contraindications

According to the instructions for use, this anthelmintic is not suitable for all cats. The first limitation concerns age. For the first three weeks of a furry pet’s life, you should not feed it with praziquantel. If a kitten is infected with worms, Dirofen is replaced with another suitable drug.

The second exception relates to pregnancy. During the first half of the term, the use of the medicine in any form is not allowed. In the last months of gestation, anthelmintic medication is allowed to be fed after consultation with a veterinarian. Breastfeeding cats can be treated with an anthelmintic two weeks after giving birth with a doctor's approval.

The list of contraindications also includes a weakened or exhausted state due to serious illness (especially related to the kidneys or liver), infection, or surgery. The indication for changing the drug is individual intolerance to certain pharmaceutical components.

IV. PERSONAL PREVENTION MEASURES

17. When working with Dirofen paste 20 and 60, you should follow the general rules of personal hygiene and safety precautions provided for when working with medicines. While working with the medicinal product, you are not allowed to smoke, drink or eat. When finished, wash your hands with warm water and soap.

18. In case of accidental contact of the drug with the skin or mucous membranes of the eyes, they must be rinsed with plenty of water. People with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug should avoid direct contact with Dirofen-paste 20 and 60. In case of allergic reactions or if the drug accidentally enters the human body, you should immediately contact a medical facility (have instructions for use of the drug or label with you).

19. It is prohibited to use empty dosing syringes from the drug for household purposes; they must be disposed of with household waste.

Side effects and overdose

The drug Dirofen is presented by the developer as safe from the point of view of mutagenic, carcinogenic, and toxic activity. According to the classification of harmful substances, it belongs to the moderately hazardous group. After taking the medicine, it is eliminated from the body within a day. Despite this characteristic, upon first and repeated use, the deworming drug with praziquantel and pyrantel can cause a number of unpleasant short-term consequences. They are associated with well-being, but do not affect overall health. Side effects include:

• salivation;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• loose stool;
• gas formation;
• loss of appetite;
• lethargy and apathy.

If an allergic reaction occurs in any form, it is recommended to show your pet to a veterinarian!

Limitations and negative consequences

Dirofen is a safe anthelmintic drug, but it should not be given to animals that exhibit allergic reactions to one or more components of the drug, pregnant cats in the first half of pregnancy, and kittens under 4 weeks of age. The reasons for replacing the drug are:

• infectious diseases and the recovery period after them;
• exhaustion.

Important!

The drug has restrictions on combined use with anticholinesterase drugs and piperazine.

An overdose is fraught with unpleasant consequences, including:

• nausea and vomiting;
• refusal of food;
• depressed state;
• increased salivation;
• intestinal disorders.

If the dose is slightly exceeded, unpleasant symptoms may go away on their own; in case of a large overdose, it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic for gastric lavage and special therapy.

Average price for Dirofen for cats and kittens

The cost of packaging depends on the type of medicine and packaging.

• Dirofen tablets for adults and kittens in the amount of 6 pieces cost 120-130 rubles.
• Paste in a 7 ml syringe – 150-160 rubles. Paste packaging 10 ml - up to 180 rubles.
• The price of Dirofen suspension for cats with a volume of 7 ml falls within the range of 160-170 rubles, a slightly larger bottle (10 ml) costs on average 180-200 rubles.
• Suspension for kittens (6 ml) – from 150 to 170 rubles.

*Prices are indicated at the beginning of 2022.

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Feedback from cat owners

I liked Dirofen Plus in terms of dosage. The kitten suffered from constipation until he was dewormed - exactly one tablet for the little sufferer solved all his troubles. And at one time. Vika, 26 years old

We worm the cat every quarter. We use Dirofen Plus. She weighs 6 kg. We use two tablets at once - one from the package for kittens, the second - for adult cats. Katya, 24 years old

Courtyard cats are medium in size. We periodically save them from parasites. Dirofen plus tablets are eaten by themselves, with pleasure. We never noticed any side effects. Convenient and not expensive. Nadezhda, 30 years old

Dirofen's analogs

If this medicine is not available in the veterinary pharmacy or the drug is individually intolerant, it is worth finding an alternative replacement for the cat. The range of anthelmintics is represented by the following analogues:

• Drontal. Available in tablets. The active complex includes praziquantel and pyrantel embonate.
• Profinder. Release form: drops on the withers. In addition to praziquantel, the composition contains emodepside.
• Prazitel. There are two forms: tablets and suspension. The composition is completely similar to Dirofen.
• Milbemax. Tablet form containing milbemycin oxime and praziquantel.
• Helmimax. Available in tablets. The formula contains moxidectin and praziquantel.

Combination with other drugs

Dirofen in any of its forms should not be used in conjunction with drugs containing piperazine or inhibiting cholinesterase (Metriphonate, Takryl, Rivastigmine, etc.).

The use of Dirofen cannot be combined with the use of piperazine-containing anthelmintics and drugs that inhibit cholinesterase