Does Pirantel help for cats and how to take it to deworm your pet?

The infestation of the pet's body with worms will be helped to eliminate the anthelmintic drug "Pyrantel" for cats. The medicine is sold in pharmacies for people and is produced in tablets and under the form of an emulsion. Kittens over 1 month old and weighing 500 g or more are allowed. Proper use will help avoid adverse reactions and intoxication. "Pyrantel" is also used to treat dogs.

Can cats take deworming medication for humans?

Pyrantel was originally developed for the treatment of humans, but due to its good tolerability and effectiveness, it is used as an anthelmintic for cats. The medication is used only for medicinal purposes and is not suitable for disease prevention.

The drug blocks the nerve impulses of the parasite, causing its paralysis and death, and promotes the elimination of dead helminths in the feces.

Ineffective against eggs and larvae, which migrate with the bloodstream for further development in other organs. Therefore, deworming courses with Pirantel are recommended to be repeated twice - after 3 and 6 weeks, when the eggs and larvae develop into the next generation of parasites.

The product acts on roundworms and nematodes. This family includes:

• roundworms;
• nekator;
• pinworms;
• strongyloid;
• whipworm

Since the spectrum of action of the drug is quite narrow, it is important to clarify the type of helminthiasis pathogen in order to prescribe an effective course of treatment.

Contraindications

To ensure that your animal does not have any side effects or complications while using the drug, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications before treatment. Among them:

• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• severe infectious lesions;
• significant exhaustion;
• severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
• individual intolerance to substances contained in the veterinary drug.

In addition, the medication is not used in kittens whose body weight is less than 500 g. It is also prohibited to give the medicine to animals under one month of age.

Pyrantel is contraindicated in combination with Piperazine and other antiparasitic drugs. This is due to the increased risk of complications resulting from the toxic effects of medications.

All information posted on the site is provided in accordance with the User Agreement and is not a direct instruction to action. We strongly recommend that before using any product, you must obtain a face-to-face consultation at an accredited veterinary clinic.

Composition and storage rules

Available in the form of tablets and suspension. The active ingredient is pyrantel pamoate. 1 tablet or 5 ml of suspension contains 250 mg of the active ingredient.

It is recommended to store the medicine in a cool place, protected from direct sunlight, out of reach of children. Indoor air temperature - +15...+25°C, humidity - 50%.

It is allowed to use the product for 3 years from the date of production. The required date is indicated on the packaging.

Precautionary measures

Pyrantel should be given to a dog only after being prescribed by a veterinarian . Only tests previously carried out in laboratory conditions will help determine which type of parasite the animal is infected with, and therefore provide the most effective treatment. The veterinarian will also help you calculate the most accurate dosage and dosage regimen, based on the pet’s age, its actual and estimated breed weight, as well as the degree of parasitic influence, so to speak, the scale of the problem.

Important! To take Pirantel, the animal must not have any other concomitant ailments that weaken the body at the time of treatment. You should not mix the drug with medications containing piperazine, as it reduces the effectiveness of Pyrantel.

During treatment with Pyrantel, it is important for puppies to have constant access to water, since it is not uncommon for symptoms of dehydration to appear after taking the drug, which is especially detrimental for animals with low weight.

Instructions for use

How to give tablets?

Prescribed for ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, enterobiasis. The package contains 3 tablets (each containing 250 mg of pyrantel). The daily dose is calculated based on the weight of the animal - 5 mg of the drug per 1 kg of body weight.

This dosage form is not very convenient, because it is difficult to accurately calculate the dosage required for the pet, and you have to divide the tablet into parts.

One unit of the drug can be crushed and added as a powder to food or water. To give medicine to a cat, you need to fix it, open its mouth by pressing the jaw on both sides and pour the crushed tablet closer to the root of the tongue. To stimulate swallowing, you can add water from a syringe without a needle or stroke your pet's neck.

The course of treatment lasts 3 days. Upon completion, a stool test will be required to confirm effective deworming.

Dosage of suspension per kg of weight

This is a thick, oily, yellowish liquid; the product can be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 1 month after opening the bottle. The dosage of the active substance is 250 mg in 5 ml. The daily dose is 5 mg per 1 kg of cat weight, given once a day. After eating, at least 60 minutes should pass. The course lasts 3 days.

It is believed that a single application is sufficient for the treatment of ascariasis and enterobiasis. Repeated courses are carried out after 3 and 6 weeks, based on the generation of parasites emerging from the eggs. If the animal swallows the suspension well, you do not need to add water.

Description of the suspension

It can be purchased in pharmacies in polymer packaging with a capacity of 10, 15 or 20 ml. The viscous, yellowish liquid contains, in addition to the active substance:

• purified water;
• semiticon emulsion;
• sorbitol;
• glycerol;
• sucrose;
• flavorings.

Why is Pirantel suspension suitable for animals? The dosage required for cats is quite small, and in such a medicinal mass the drug is produced for children with a lower body weight. In addition, sucrose is specially added to it so that it gives the medicine a pleasant taste.

Side effects

After taking Pirantel, in some cases undesirable symptoms occur that require additional intervention. Possible:

1. Decreased appetite and apathy go away on their own. No additional assistance is required.
2. Vomiting, loose stools - discontinuation of the drug and drinking plenty of fluids are necessary.
3. Allergic reactions - be sure to stop taking the medicine. It is necessary to consult a doctor, undergo further examination and treatment.

The drug is toxic, which limits its use.

Replacement of "Pirantel"

If the animal is allergic to the active component or other ingredients of the drug, the veterinarian suggests using similar antiparasitic medications to eliminate the infestation. Often, the veterinarian recommends deworming medications such as:

• "Helmintox";
• "Nemotsid";
• Pirantel Polpharma;
• "Pratel."

Choosing a remedy on your own may not eliminate the problem, but only complicate the pet’s condition, so you should begin treatment only after going to the doctor and taking tests to determine the type of parasites. The doctor, relying on the severity of the infection and the condition of the animal’s body, can accurately calculate the dose of the drug.

Reviews

Owners

Ilya, 27 years old, Anapa:

“I have a private house. The cat is constantly running around in the yard. And where there is a street, there are worms, respectively. 2 times a year I give her Pirantel in suspension. That's all. Cheerful, cheerful, eats well. She never had any adverse reactions. Only when I’m pregnant and feeding kittens, I try not to worm, because the instructions say that the drug is toxic.”

Arina, 29 years old, Samara:

“I'm a breeder. There are 5 pairs of cats and 15 cats living at home permanently. kittens I am responsible for the health of animals to buyers. Therefore, I definitely give Pirantel to adults 2-3 times a year. For kittens - when they are over a month old and a week before sale. They tolerate the medicine more difficult: they often vomit, and even have diarrhea. This doesn’t happen in adults.”

Olga, 42 years old, Chelyabinsk:

“For as long as I can remember, cats have always lived in the house. When I was a child, my mother always gave Pirantel to the cat after summer and winter, and to me too, to get rid of worms. Barsik ate and slept with me, I carried him in my arms, and a couple of them periodically became infected. I do the same with my pets: I give them medicine twice a year. No one has yet been found to have worms.”

Veterinarians

Igor, 52 years old, veterinarian:

“I’ve been working with the drug for 10 years. Not bad in terms of price-quality ratio, but weak. To completely cleanse yourself of parasites, you need to take 3 courses - after 21 days and then after another 6. And Pirantel does not work on all worms. Therefore, before you give your cat water, you need to get tested so as not to waste your pet.”

Antonina, 44 years old, veterinarian:

“Pyrantel is a budget product. I recommend this drug if the owner asks to prescribe something cheaper. However, it should not be given to newborn kittens or pregnant cats. Vomiting and diarrhea often occur after it, but go away without additional treatment.”

When to use

If an animal is infected with worms, this can be understood by the following signs:

• he loses his appetite;
• profuse salivation appears;
• the wool gives off an unpleasant odor;
• vomiting and diarrhea appear;
• Paws may tremble in sleep.

Sometimes there is an opinion that indoor cats and cats that do not go outside cannot become infected with worms. This is wrong. Is it necessary to immediately give the Pirantel suspension?

It is difficult to calculate the dosage for cats yourself, so it is best to consult a veterinarian. It is very important to understand what kind of worms the animal has become infected with. Tests will help determine this. The veterinarian will select another drug, for example Praziquantel. It all depends on what type of parasites have entered the animal’s body.

Analogs

There are no analogues cheaper than Indian-made Pirantel. Several combination drugs are available - a combination of pyrantel and praziquantel. This is convenient because it simultaneously affects roundworms and tapeworms. Deworming can take place in 1 stage and is more effective.

Substitute drugs:

1. Drontal is available in the form of tablets for oral administration. Effective against toxocara, tapeworms, which are quite common in cats.
2. Kanikquantel is available in tablets and gel form. Acts on round, flat and tapeworms. A universal drug that is well tolerated. But this is an expensive product - 12 tablets or 18 ml of gel cost about 2,000 rubles.
3. Stronghold - differs in that it can be used to treat scabies in cats, dermatitis caused by fleas, and parasitosis caused by round and flatworms.
4. Prazicide is a combination of praziquantel and pyrantel. It is recommended to use for the treatment of mixed helminthiases, since the drug is strong, but rarely causes allergic reactions.
5. Febtal. The active ingredient is fenbendazole. Effective for the treatment of lesions caused by tapeworms and roundworms. One-time use, does not require repetitions.

Any anthelmintic agent can be used no more than once every 6 months due to their high toxicity. Only a veterinarian can select a similar remedy after examining the pet and identifying the pathogen.

Pyrantel is a low-cost remedy for treating people and cats against helminthic infestations. It has a limited spectrum of action, effective only against roundworms.

Not strong enough, requires repeated courses of treatment due to the fact that it does not destroy eggs and larvae. However, the drug is mild and rarely causes severe symptoms of intoxication.

How does anthelmintic medicine work?

An important quality of the drug against helminths is its ability to act without absorption into the systemic circulation, remaining in the intestines, and partially absorbed in the liver. "Pyrantel" affects roundworms. Excreted in feces, it helps eliminate endoparasites. This guarantees the safety of the cat’s body and does not provoke intoxication due to the decomposition of worms.

Why is it necessary?

The human drug "Pyrantel" is used in cats and dogs to eliminate helminth infestation. The instructions suggest using the product to deworm parasites such as:

• eel intestinalis;
• pinworm;
• small nematode from the family Trichostrongylidae;
• roundworm;
• trichinella;
• hookworm.

The drug does not affect flat tape endoparasites and whipworms in cats, so veterinarians recommend other drugs to eliminate these types.

Dosage

The exact dosage must be calculated depending on the pet’s body weight.

Operating principle

The principle of action of the medicine is as follows:

1. The active substance, almost unchanged, penetrates the gastrointestinal tract;
2. It has a toxic effect on worms, causing them to block neuromuscular impulses;
3. As a result, paralysis of the worm occurs, during which individuals become detached from the walls of the mucous membranes;
4. The parasites do not die, but are easily removed from the intestines, as they are paralyzed.

Due to the fact that Pirantel for dogs, cats and people does not cause the death of parasites, the body is not poisoned by the products of their decomposition. The drug is highly effective against forms of parasites that are sensitive to it, both mature and immature.

The main component of Pyrantel, pamoate, acts by influencing the nervous system of parasites. The enzyme acetylcholinesterase is a neurotransmitter that transmits a signal to muscle fibers. As soon as Pyrantel enters the animal’s gastrointestinal tract, the transmission of impulses in the worm stops and muscle paralysis occurs.

The medicine will be effective for the following diseases:

• hookworm infection (hookworm infection);
• ascariasis (roundworm infestation);
• enterobiasis (pinworms);
• trichocephalosis (infection with Trichinella).

Important! Pyrantel has no effect on tapeworms and protozoan parasites that do not have muscle fibers.

Symptoms of helminth damage

The first symptom indicating the need for examination should be any allergic reaction without obvious contact with a possible allergen. An example would be a rash that was not preceded by contact with aggressive substances or abuse of foods from a group of potential allergens. Also, long-term bronchitis, treatment of which by a therapist does not give a positive result, may indicate the presence of a parasite.

Abnormal bowel movements are another reason to get tested for helminthiasis. If the parasite has settled in the intestines, it can interfere with normal peristalsis and bowel movements. When the intestines become a haven for certain dangerous types of worms, a person may experience a lack of strength and may also develop anemia or severe lack of nutrients in the blood. This is explained by the fact that the parasite eats all the beneficial substances in the intestines faster than they can be absorbed into the blood. Therefore, weakness is also a symptom.

Pinworms infect the anus. As a result, itching in the anus is the main symptom of the presence of the parasite. The female pinworm emerges mainly at night through the anus and lays eggs in the folds of the anus, lubricating them with her secretion. The substance irritates the mucous membrane, causing itching.

Oddly enough, nighttime teeth grinding has nothing to do with helminth infection. This is an erroneous opinion based on the assumptions of older generations. A person begins to grind their teeth due to the characteristics of the nervous system.

If there are parasites in the body, the number of eosinophils in the blood increases. The number of these cells also increases with a progressive allergic reaction. Therefore, if the number of eosinophils in the biochemical blood test is higher than normal, you should be tested for helminthiasis.