The problem of parasites in livestock has always been and is quite acute. There are many ways to combat this disease. There are many traditional methods, as well as medicines.
Alben is a medicine that can quickly and permanently rid animals of worms, as well as help with other types of diseases. Thanks to the active ingredients, the medicine is well absorbed and acts quickly.
It can be used at all stages of the disease and is practically harmless to animals and humans. The drug is universal and suitable for many pets.
Let's take a closer look at what kind of medicine this is.
Characteristics of the medicine
"Alben" is a broad-spectrum drug. The main active ingredient is albendazole. Probably, such a name means a lot to few people, so let’s look at it in a little more detail. Detailed instructions for using Albendazole are covered here.
Albendazole:
- anthelmintic drug;
- the action is aimed at combating parasites (in particular, worms);
- well absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract;
- spreads quickly throughout the body (within 2-5 hours).
The drug is presented in the form of granules and tablets. Most often it can be found packaged in packs of 25 or 100 tablets (but often you can purchase just a few tablets). Alben is sold in almost any veterinary clinic.
Dosage of the drug
The instructions recommend calculating the dose of Alben tablets strictly in accordance with the weight of the animal. with a weight of 0.5 - 2.5 kg - 0.5 tablets with a weight of 2.5 - 5 kg - 1 tablet with a weight of 5 - 7.5 kg - 1.5 tablets with a weight of 7.5 - 10 kg - 2 tablets with a weight of 10 - 15 kg - 3 tablets. An overdose of Alben S causes symptoms completely similar to ordinary poisoning. The pet may vomit and have an upset stomach. There may also be some slight disorientation. To provoke such a clinical picture, the cat will have to eat a dose that is several times higher than that recommended for its weight. Therefore, no cases of overdose were recorded.
Indications for taking granules and tablets
The anthelmintic drug, as mentioned earlier, is widely used, so let’s look more specifically in what cases it is best to use it:
- Gastrointestinal nematodes. This includes a number of diseases that are caused by roundworms, which belong to the class of nematodes. The first sign that appears in animals is pneumonia. At later stages, serious digestive problems begin: diarrhea, vomiting, anemia and general exhaustion of the body. Young individuals may begin to be severely stunted. Most often, animals such as chickens and pigs suffer from such diseases. But cases of diseases in cattle are not uncommon.
- Pulmonary nematodes. Most often they go along with the gastrointestinal ones, but they also occur separately. Signs of the disease include pneumonia, and in later stages problems with eating and breathing. Clear signs of infection are multiple and small hemorrhages in the lungs, as well as white spots on the liver at autopsy. Diseases in this group are serious and can quickly lead to death due to serious breathing problems in the animal. It is very important to start treatment on time so that it passes without serious consequences.
- Cestodoses. The diseases are caused by parasitism of tapeworms (cestodes). Forms of the disease can be chronic (when the worms live in the body for several years) and acute (the death of the animal occurs within a month). Obvious signs may be: digestive problems, cramps, exhaustion, constant thirst, swelling. The danger of the disease is damage to the animal’s central nervous system. Problems with coordination, convulsions, and various attacks of unreasonable activity may begin. In the later stages (with damage to the central nervous system), vision problems begin, which can lead to complete blindness. You can notice this in advance - the eyes begin to become cloudy, and the animal begins to get lost in its usual surroundings.
- Trematodes. The causative agents are representatives of the class of flukes. These parasites affect the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, liver and blood. Once in the body, they adhere to the walls of the stomach and other organs. Signs of infection are the same digestive problems (diarrhea, vomiting), sudden weight loss, and stunted growth in young animals. The disease is dangerous because the parasites quickly begin to multiply immediately after entering the body. The later treatment begins, the harder and longer it takes.
Pharmacological properties
Albendazole, which is the main component of the drug, perfectly resists both mature and immature cestodes, nematodes and trematodes.
The mechanism of action of the drug is quite simple:
- disrupts carbohydrate metabolism and microtubular function of parasites;
- The parasites die and are eliminated from the body naturally.
Alben is quickly and well absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, and also quickly spreads throughout the body. The drug is classified as low-hazard, and when used correctly and dosage is well tolerated by animals.
Application procedure
Let's figure out in what proportions and for what animals this medicine can be used. For convenience, we will divide the dosage regimen into several types.
Dosage schedule depending on body weight
It is worth saying that, regardless of the total weight of the animal, on average 1 tablet is used per 35-50 kilogram of live weight.
In cases where the product is used for poultry, it is difficult to make a standard calculation of the drug. In this case, it is recommended to calculate the approximate weight of all birds and dissolve the required number of tablets in the water that they should drink during the day.
But for more accurate calculations, let's consider a different dosage scheme.
Depending on the type of animal and its disease
So, the dosage of the drug depending on the animal and the type of disease:
- For cattle, one tablet per 50 kg body weight. For diseases such as fascioliasis, dyscroceliosis and ostertagiasis - 1 tablet per 35 kg.
- For sheep and goats: 1 tablet per 70 kg body weight. In cases with the diseases mentioned above, the dose is reduced to 1 tablet per 45 kg.
- Horses - 1 tablet per 50 kg.
- Pigs – 1 tablet per 35 kg.
- For fur animals: 1 tablet per 7 kg.
- For poultry: 1 tablet per 35 kg.
- Cats - 15 mg of medication per 1 kg of weight.
Although adherence to the dosage is highly recommended, no serious complications or side effects have been observed.
Storage rules
Alben C should be stored in accordance with the following recommendations:
- It is important to store blisters with tablets in their original packaging, as this is the only way they will be protected from sunlight.
- Should be kept away from children and pets.
- The optimal storage temperature is from +5 to +25 degrees Celsius.
If you do not follow the rules, the product will be stored for less than the prescribed period.
Properties of the drug
The properties of the drug are related to its constituent components. As mentioned earlier, the main one is Albendazole (0.36 grams in one tablet). In addition to it, the composition includes a number of other auxiliary components that help speed up the effect of the drug.
Let's look at the properties of the drug:
- When administered orally, the drug begins to act within the first hours after use.
- Versatility. It is suitable for almost all pets, you just need to maintain the correct proportions. The drug is also able to fight a huge number of diseases that are associated with parasites in the body.
- No side effects. Even with an overdose, no side effects were found. The drug is harmless to humans.
- Treatment and prevention. In addition to treatment, Alben can be used as a prophylactic. Veterinarians strongly recommend prophylaxis in cases where animals have had contact with infected individuals, as well as during disease outbreaks in the region.
Reviews from dog owners
Ivan, Rostov. I try to give my dogs anthelmintic on time, once every 3 months. But... I have 3 dogs, if you do everything according to the rules, it doesn’t come cheap. I started looking for affordable and effective remedies and came across these pills.
Many dog owners prefer Alben S, as it is effective and has a low cost.
It turned out that they work well! The dogs are small (Pekingese), for three I buy 2 packs. There is no need to dissolve, I just put the medicine on each person’s tongue. I've been using it for a year now, everything is fine. I won’t change it, everything suits me.
Zhanna, Moscow. I picked up a teenage puppy on the street and, of course, had to be treated. Fleas, and worms, where would we be without them? I chose Alben S, it was recommended at the pharmacy. At first I couldn’t get used to the pills, but then I simply crushed them, filled them with water and gave them a syringe. It’s simple, the dog didn’t even have time to get upset. After treatment, I vomited dead worms, since then there seem to be no problems. I will be deworming again soon for prevention.
Valentina, Samara. I generally trust this company, I have already bought several drugs, I have no complaints. I have been using the tablets for 3 years, you can say that my golden retriever dog has grown up on them. I like that there are no side effects, the dog does not spit out the drug, I give it with food. In general, the medicine works and is affordable. I'm not going to replace it with something else.
Contraindications and side effects
The drug has been on the market for quite a long time and during all this time no side effects have been noticed after its use.
However, it is worth saying that getting rid of some types of parasites may not lead to a complete recovery. The affected areas of the animal's body are not always able to fully recover.
The drug has no obvious contraindications, but its use is not recommended:
- during the breeding period;
- in the first half of pregnancy (in cattle in the first third);
- for animals that have allergic reactions to the components of the drug. This can lead to quite serious allergic reactions, and sometimes to the death of the animal;
- Age up to 3 months, if we mean cats and dogs;
- If the animal is exhausted or in a state of illness.
It is also worth saying that it is not recommended to consume meat or milk of an infected individual for another 15-20 days after consuming the drug.
general description
The anthelmintic is available in several dosage forms:
- pills;
- granules;
- suspension (Alben Forte).
The company produces an antiparasitic agent in several versions:
- Alben (tablets, granules) is intended for farm animals (cows, horses, pigs, etc.) and birds;
- Alben S is designed specifically for dogs (can also be used for cats).
The drug in the form of a suspension is also created for use in agriculture.
Note! Alben can be given to dogs, but it is better to use a product designed specifically for these animals. The main difference is two active components in the composition and, as a result, a wider spectrum of action.
Medicine for dogs is available in the form of small tablets. They are packaged in special blisters of 6 pieces. The medicine should be stored at room temperature (not higher than 25˚C) away from direct sunlight. Since the medication contains toxic substances, you should choose a storage location away from food and animal feed.
Personal prevention measures
When carrying out treatment and preventive measures, it is important to follow the general rules of personal hygiene, as well as safety precautions:
- Since the drug is administered orally, large animals must place the tablets on the inside of the tongue. It is important to follow safety precautions and, if possible, calm and tie up the animal before taking the drug.
- It is worth remembering that during treatment you should not smoke, drink or eat near an infected animal. This increases a person's risk of contracting parasites themselves.
- At the end of the procedure, you must wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.
To summarize, I would like to say that the drug “Alben” is one of the best among analogues, due to its versatility and the absence of side effects.
It copes well with many diseases that are caused by various parasites in the body of animals (in particular, worms), and also acts quickly and is well absorbed in the body.
