Milbemax is an anthelmintic drug with a broad spectrum of action, active against nematodes, trematodes and cestodes. The trade name of the drug in English is Milbemax tablets for cats. This drug is manufactured by Novartis Sante Animal SAS (Novartis Sante Animal S.A.S.) in France.
Milbemax is used for the treatment and prevention of helminthiases in both adult cats and kittens.
Composition and release form
The strong antiparasitic effect is due to the composition of the drug: the active substances are milbemycin oxime and praziquantel with auxiliary components. Both substances easily penetrate the parasite at the cellular level, causing paralysis. The medicine for worms actively affects both adult individuals and unhatched larvae.
Milbemax is available in the form of elongated tablets with a transverse notch for individuals of different ages: there are tablets for kittens and adult cats.
The drug is in the form of pink tablets with the imprints “BC” and “NA”, intended for young cats and kittens. Each tablet contains 4 mg of milbemycin oxime and 10 mg of praziquantel.
The tablet for adult cats and cats has a red shell and is imprinted “KK” and “NA”. The content of active substances is different: 16 mg of milbemycin oxime and 40 mg of praziquantel.
The drug contains a flavoring additive that imitates the aroma of beef as an additional component without a therapeutic effect. However, despite the alluring aroma, pets do not often agree to swallow the medicine voluntarily.
The cardboard package contains a blister with two tablets.
Pharmacological properties
Praziquantel and milbemycin oxime exhibit synergistic action and together have a wide spectrum of action on mature and larval forms of cestodes and nematodes. Milbemycin oxime belongs to the group of macrocyclic lactones, which are released as a result of the enzymatic activity of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. Aureolacrimosus. Milbemycin oxime is active against the larvae of the nematode Dirofilaria immitis, as well as nematodes parasitizing the gastrointestinal tract of cats. Milbemycin increases the permeability of cell membranes to chlorine ions, this leads to overpolarization of the cell membranes of muscle and nervous tissue, paralysis and death of the parasite. The maximum concentration of milbemycin oxime in blood plasma is achieved 2 hours after administration of the drug. The half-life is approximately 13 hours after oral administration of the drug; the compound is excreted from the body mainly unchanged. The second component, praziquantel, is an acylated derivative of pyrazine isoquinoline and has a pronounced effect against nematodes and cestodes. Praziquantel, increasing the permeability of the parasite's cell membranes to calcium ions, causes destruction of the tegument, muscle contraction and membrane depolarization, which leads to the death of the parasite and helps eliminate it from the cat's body. The maximum plasma concentration of praziquantel is achieved after 1 hour. The half-life is approximately 3 hours after oral administration, and the compound is excreted from the body primarily in the urine in the form of inactive metabolites. Milbemax belongs to the group of moderately hazardous compounds for warm-blooded animals; in recommended doses it does not have teratogenic, embryotoxic or sensitizing effects. Well tolerated by cats of different ages and breeds. The drug is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Dosage
Milbemax for cats is designed for a single dose. The product is offered during morning feeding, mixing the tablet with food. If the animal ignores this method of treatment, then you should know how to properly give the pill to the cat, because you will need to treat your pet with medicine one way or another.
To calculate the therapeutic dose of the drug, a calculation is made: per 1 kg of body weight, 2 mg of milbemycin oxime and 5 mg of praziquantel are required.
An approximate calculation of the required amount of active ingredients begins with an animal weight of 0.5 -1 kg. The blister contains 2 tablets, since the maximum dose is designed for cats from 8-12 kg.
Milbemax dosage according to the cat's weight
| Cat weight | Milbemax tablets for kittens and young cats | Milbemax tablets for adult cats |
| 0.5 – 1 kg | 0.5 tablets (pink) | — |
| 1 – 2 kg | 1 tablet (pink) | — |
| 2 – 4 kg | — | 0.5 tablets (red) |
| 4 – 8 kg | — | 1 tablet (red) |
| 8 – 12 kg | — | 1.5 tablets (red) |
You should not exceed the norm in hopes of a special effect - this can cause damage to the cat's health.
Instructions for use of milbemax
Yes, giving an uncooperative cat a pill can be difficult. To avoid any difficulties, there are detailed instructions for the anthelmintic drug.
In order to expel nematodes, you can offer Milbemax to a kitten from six weeks of age. If prophylaxis is needed during pregnancy of a cat, it is recommended to take the drug from the 7th week. During lactation, the tablet is given again 3 weeks after birth.
No special diet is required before taking the drug.
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During morning feeding, the cat is fed one tablet in any way. In any case, the dosage should correspond to the weight of the animal. The dosage of the medicine is indicated above in accordance with the age and body weight of cats.
To give a cat Milbemax for worms, you need to sit her on your lap, the cat’s back should rest against the owner’s stomach - this way she will have less chance of active resistance. With one hand, raise the muzzle and unclench the mouth. You need to put a tablet on the root of the tongue and close the cat’s mouth. It is important to slowly stroke your pet's throat towards the neck. When the swallowing reflex is triggered, the cat is calmed and petted. If you release the purr right away, there is a chance that the pill will be spat out behind the owner’s back.
The medicine begins to act almost immediately, reaching peak absorption after 2 hours. Then the concentration of substances decreases. During the entire period of elimination of the drug from the body, the active substances do their job.
Special instructions and personal preventive measures
There are no special instructions for using the medicine. It is important to strictly follow the instructions and not try to achieve results in a short time by increasing the dosage.
After the procedure, you must wash your hands thoroughly. In case of possible hypersensitivity in humans, contact of the drug with the skin and mucous membranes is limited.
Note! If allergic reactions occur or the owner swallows a tablet intended for the cat, you should immediately go to the hospital.
Milbemax deworming packaging for cats is disposed of along with household waste.
Contraindications
The most important contraindication is individual intolerance to the composition of the medicine. In order to exclude such a nuisance, before offering Milbemax to a cat, consult a veterinarian.
The drug is prohibited for use by kittens under 6 weeks of age. It is also prohibited to take the product for pregnant cats up to 7 weeks, animals during infectious diseases and during the recovery period.
It is dangerous to give medicine to pussies that do not exceed a weight of 0.5 kg.
This treatment is not recommended for pets who have impaired renal or liver function.
It is important to follow all instructions and remember the shelf life. An opened blister should not be stored for longer than six months. Whole blisters are used within three years from the date of issue. Deworming with expired products is prohibited.
Average price for Milbemax for cats
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//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> Anthelmintic drugs for cats from many manufacturers are not cheap, which for some is the reason for refusing to use Milbemax. However, it is worth carrying out antiparasitic treatment or simply prevention against worms once a quarter. To prevent such an action from being too costly, you need to find an effective medicine at an affordable price.
Milbemax can be bought at reasonable prices: on average, a package for kittens costs 350-380 rubles, and for adult animals approximately 500 rubles.
Advantages
The deworming remedy Milbemax for kittens has its advantages over a number of medications of similar action.:
- When taking the medicine, you do not need to put your pet on a hunger strike. On the contrary, the instructions for using Milbemax for kittens state that it should be given during the morning meal.
- One-time use.
- Small tablet forms make it easier to swallow when the medicine must be given forcibly.
- Kittens eat it well due to the presence of the smell of meat.
- Does not cause strong salivation.
- Milbemax is effective in combating the entire variety of helminths at various stages of their formation (from larvae to adults).
Milbemax analogs
Milbemax has a couple of good analogues. These are Milprazone and Drontal.
Milprazone is produced in the form of yellow-brown and red-brown tablets, depending on the weight and age of the animal. This medication contains the same active ingredients as Milbemax: milbemycin oxime and praziquantel. Their effect on parasites is described above.
The medicine is also given to the cat in the morning feeding, mixed with food.
The action of the anthelmintic Drontal is based on the substances praziquantel and pyrantel. The composition of the medicine ensures 100% victory over internal parasites. Side effects are minor (vomiting, diarrhea). Prices for Drontal are quite affordable, the effect is always positive.
Side effects from taking Milbemax
In most cases, Milbemax is well tolerated by all animals, so side effects are quite infrequent.
Some cats calmly eat food with added medicine, not understanding what the catch is.
If the specified dosage is violated, the pet may experience vomiting, fever, upset stool, and lethargy. In such situations, treatment is stopped and they wait for the cat’s condition to recover. It is recommended to give the animal to drink more water, this will allow the excess drug to be removed from the body faster. If necessary, symptomatic therapy is selected.
Reviews of Milbemax for cats
The drug Milbemax is very popular among breeders; you can find many positive reviews on the Internet or from familiar cat lovers who care about the health of their pets. All information about the product allows us to conclude that with proper use and compliance with dosage standards, a cure for parasites is guaranteed.
Veterinarians also speak positively about Milbemax tablets: in their opinion, this is an excellent protection for your pet from helminths and the consequences of their action on the body.
Timely administration of the drug guarantees the absence of parasites in the body of your favorite cat.
Specifics of use in kittens
Helminths appear in kittens no less often than in adult cats. But a small body is more difficult to tolerate diseases. Taking the drug in the wrong dosage can also lead to negative consequences.
How to give a cat a deworming pill
The use of Milbemax for kittens is allowed according to the instructions only when the young animal is more than six weeks old and weighs more than half a kilogram.
