Pyrantel for cats: how to protect your pet from parasites

Pyrantel for cats: how to protect your pet from parasites

The drug Pirantel is an effective treatment for helminthic infestations. Initially, the medicine was used only to eliminate parasites in humans, but this remedy has also proven itself in veterinary medicine. But when treating worms in cats, it is important to strictly adhere to the required dosage, since the active ingredient of the drug has a high degree of toxicity, so it should not be used without a medical prescription.

Table: drug analogues

Photo gallery: drugs similar in action to Pirantel

Azinox is used for the prevention and treatment of helminthic infestations in dogs and cats.

Milbemax is a combined deworming drug that effectively eliminates intestinal parasites of various types in the body of animals.

One of the most effective medicines for worms in cats is the combination drug Drontal.

Pratel is distinguished by its mild action and high efficiency, therefore it is used to destroy internal parasites, as well as to prevent helminthic infestations

Dirofen for cats is a drug that has proven itself in removing worms from animals

Trade names and prices

Antiparasitic agents that contain pyrantel are:

Pyrantel for dogs is one of the inexpensive antiparasitic drugs, and the price of the above drugs comes from additional components and manufacturers.

For example, Envir is produced in Ukraine and its price is also low. The cost of one Drontal tablet in Russia is from $1.5, the price of Dirofen is slightly lower. The drug Trianthelm is rarely found in pharmacies, and it is much more expensive. Also, the most common anthelmintic drugs are praziquantel and febantel.

What is the drug Pirantel

The main active ingredient of the medicine is the chemical compound pyrantel pamoate. It is active against most types of roundworms and protozoan microorganisms.

Pyrantel is available in tablet form and suspension.

One tablet of the drug contains 250 mg of active ingredient. In addition, it includes:

• magnesium stearate;
• corn starch;
• gelatin;
• talc.

The above components are not active against helminths and serve as excipients.

Each tablet, which is oval in shape and pale yellow in color, is placed in a blister, which, in turn, is packaged in a cardboard box. Usually there are three tablets in a blister.

The Pyrantel package contains 3 tablets

The suspension contains 250 mg of active substance per 5 ml. This dosage form is more convenient for animals to take than tablets. However, the additional additives included in the drug (flavors, dyes, sucrose, sorbic acid, sorbitol) can be unpleasant for the cat, so the tablet form has found wider use in veterinary medicine.

The suspension is available in 15 ml dark glass bottles, which are packaged in a cardboard box.

The suspension is easier to dose for small cats and kittens

The drug should be stored in a dark place at a temperature not exceeding +25 degrees Celsius. This applies to both forms of release.

How to calculate the dose for a cat?

Following the above data, per 1 kilogram of animal weight, a 10 milligram dose of the active drug is required. We weigh your cat, calculate the required volume of suspension and draw the specified amount into an injection syringe.

Hatching on the side of the syringe will allow you to draw the most accurate amount. If the drug is purchased in tablet form. We weigh the animal again. One tablet of Pirantel contains 250 milligrams of the active substance. Therefore, it is approximately intended for a 20 kg animal.

For a dog weighing 10 kilograms, taking half of one tablet would be appropriate. For a large cat weighing about 5 kilograms, the tablet should be divided into 4 parts. And so on. When choosing a tablet form, it is difficult to calculate the correct dose for small cats and kittens.

Typically, the course of treatment takes the form of three doses per day, which the veterinarian will recommend repeating 3 and 6 weeks after the first dose. During the treatment phase, it is important to monitor your pet's condition and regularly check stool samples.

A cat will be considered completely healthy once parasite eggs are no longer present in the feces. If the drug is chosen incorrectly, tests will indicate the lack of progress in treatment and the doctor will be able to prescribe a more suitable and effective analogue.

Indications for use

The drug Pyrantel is active against the following parasites:

• pinworms;
• roundworms;
• intestinal acne;
• trichostrongylids;
• trichinella.

In other words, it is an effective remedy against roundworms (nematodes). At the same time, Pyrantel is ineffective against tapeworms (cestodes) and flatworms (trematodes). In this regard, independent use of this drug is not considered advisable, since to prescribe it it is necessary to know exactly what specific parasites live in the animal’s body, and this is possible only after appropriate laboratory analysis.

It is also important to note that Pirantel effectively fights against adult worms, but it has no effect on worm eggs. Therefore, to achieve high efficiency, repeated use of the drug will be required.

The drug in question is used in cats for the following diseases:

• hookworm infection (hookworm infection);
• ascariasis (roundworm infestation);
• trichinosis (infection with Trichinella).

When can a veterinarian prescribe Pirantel to a cat?

A specialist can prescribe this medicine for the following diseases:

• ascariasis (helminthiasis caused by roundworms);
• hookworm (a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the genus Ancylostoma duodenale);
• necatoriasis (a disease caused by Necator americanus);
• enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms);
• trichocephalosis (a parasitic disease caused by whipworm).

Pyrantel in cats is used only for therapeutic purposes . It is not suitable as a prophylactic against helminthiasis.

If enterobiasis is detected in a cat, it is necessary to deworm all family members living in the same area.

It is important that animals can become infected with roundworms from the first days of life; the larvae enter the body of a kitten or puppy with mother’s milk.
For the youngest, from three weeks of age, you can use Piperazine and Pyrantel, one or the other. Pyrantel is a “human” drug that is sold in a regular pharmacy in the form of a suspension. Sergey Savchenko, veterinarian
https://vetdoc.in.ua/preparaty-ot-glistov-dlya-kotyat-shhenyat-i-vzroslyx-zhivotnyx-avtor-veterinar.htm

Correct use of Pirantel

To administer the drug, the animal is tightly swaddled (so as not to injure the owner or harm itself during the procedure), clamped between the knees, tilt its head back and press two fingers on both sides of the muzzle between the jaws to open the mouth. Then, using a syringe without a needle, the suspension is injected behind the cheek, and the powdered tablet is injected onto the root of the cat’s tongue. In order for her to swallow the medicine, the swallowing reflex is stimulated by lightly tickling the throat.

“Pyrantel” for cats (the dosage does not matter here) is not prescribed as a means of prevention for either kittens or adults, since its sphere of influence is only worms in the gastrointestinal tract.

The product is effective for:

• necatorosa;
• trichocephalosis;
• hookworm;
• ascariasis (single injection);
• enterobiasis (single injection).

Veterinarians advise changing the type of anthelmintic drug used every year, since parasites constantly mutate and old drugs become less effective against them.

Possible side effects and contraindications

Possible side effects of Pyrantel are as follows:

• change in stool character;
• vomit;
• salivation;
• hair loss;
• change in animal behavior (aggression).

If any of the listed negative effects occur, you should stop taking Pirantel and seek advice from a veterinarian.

• during pregnancy;
• weakened and exhausted animals;
• kittens that weigh less than half a kilogram.

Pyrantel for cats: contraindications and side effects

The medicine is available without a prescription, but you should consult your doctor to avoid overdose when using the drug or to avoid side effects.

Be sure to read:

How many days before vaccination should a cat be given anthelmintic: why, how to do it correctly, the best remedies

The use of the drug is not recommended:

• Pregnancy and lactation period of cats;
• For kittens up to 3 weeks;
• Period of infectious diseases, weakened immunity.

Pyrantel rarely causes allergic reactions:

• Vomiting;
• Skin rash or itching;
• Diarrhea.

In this case, the drug should be stopped, but treatment should be continued with analogues that do not cause side effects, recommended by the doctor.

Mechanism of action

Pyrantel, like all tetrahydropyrimidines, acts in the nervous system of worms as an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (also known as AChE), an enzyme that hydrolyzes acetylcholine (ACh). The ACh molecule is involved in the transmission of nerve signals to muscles (called neuromuscular junctions) and between neurons in the brain (called cholinergic brain synapses). The role of AChE is to stop the transmission of nerve signals in which acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter.

Inhibition of AChE massively disrupts the normal movements of parasites. What is harmful to parasitic worms is that the drug paralyzes them and they die more or less quickly or are expelled from the intestines because they lose the ability to stay attached to the intestinal wall.

Purpose of the drug

Pyrantel is an antiparasitic drug aimed at combating roundworms. The drug is effective against roundworms, pinworms, trichostrongylids, hookworms, intestinal eels, and trichinella. It is not suitable for exterminating and removing tapeworms; it has an extremely weak effect on whipworms. Suitable for both people and animals.

The drug is presented in the form of tablets, oral suspension and syrup. The most common form found is in tablet form, with three pinkish tablets sealed on one plate. The active ingredient is pyrantel pamoate.

It works by blocking nerve impulses. The drug affects parasites, leading to their paralysis, inability to feed and attach to the intestinal walls, therefore, inevitable death and excretion. Maximum efficiency is achieved in the animal’s body after 3 hours. Therefore, the drug is considered fast-acting.

The action is aimed at adult and growing parasites, but the product is absolutely powerless against eggs. To completely cleanse the body, you should wait 3 weeks and repeat the procedure in order to remove the parasites that hatched from these eggs.

The drug is prescribed to cats of different ages. The difference in administration by humans and animals is only in the dosage, frequency and duration of administration. Due to its milder effects, pyrantel is often highly recommended by veterinarians for deworming in cats that are only a few months old.

It is also suitable for animals with weak immune systems. However, you should not engage in self-appointment. Before you start giving medicine to an animal, you should make sure that it does not have parasites of another type. For example, nematodes, etc., against which pyrantel is powerless.

Indications for the use of the drug may be the following diagnoses in a cat: hookworm disease, ascariasis or hookworm disease. A qualified veterinarian can make an appropriate diagnosis based on laboratory tests and tests. During the research, the animal is checked for the presence of not only a certain type of parasite, but also their immature eggs.

The medicine itself is partially metabolized by the liver and is not absorbed into the bloodstream at all. Therefore, having acted strictly in the intestinal cavity, it is excreted together with feces. Another advantage of the drug is its ability to remove dead and paralyzed worms out, which prevents them from decomposing inside the animal’s body, and thereby poisoning it.

What parasites does Pirantel destroy?

In the body of cats and humans, Pirantel acts on roundworms:

• pinworms;
• roundworm;
• trichostrongylide;
• whipworms;
• intestinal eels;
• Trichinella;
• hookworm

Pirantel is not effective against flat tape parasites and flukes. The most common infections in cats are roundworms and pinworms. They can easily be seen in animal feces and vomit. These are small, short and very mobile white worms.

How does Pirantel work?

The action of the drug is aimed at damaging the muscular system of helminths by blocking nerve endings. The medicine is active against mature worms, as well as against worms in their early development. The drug has no effect on parasite larvae.

Immobilized worms are eliminated from the intestines naturally, through bowel movements.

To completely destroy intestinal worms, the medication is taken in several stages over a certain period of time.

Despite the fact that the drug is intended for people, including small children, it is quite acceptable to treat young pets with Pirantel. It is often prescribed by veterinarians for worming cats and dogs. The most important thing is to stick to the correct dosage.

If parasites are found in a cat living in the house, then antihelminthic therapy is usually recommended for the whole family. In such situations, Pirantel turns out to be a practical choice, as it is suitable for absolutely everyone: children, adults, animals.

© shutterstock

Prevention

Pyrantel is not used for prophylaxis in animals. It is effective only against roundworms, and in animals, mixed types of infestations are most often found. For this reason, the effectiveness of this active substance to protect the animal from parasites is insufficient. Even if an animal does not become infected with nematodes, it may become infected with protozoa or tapeworms.

The veterinarian will prescribe the most effective broad-spectrum preventative drug for your dog or cat.

Contraindications

Like any other product, Pirantel has its contraindications. It should not be given to cats during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should also postpone fighting parasites in this way if the animal has other infectious diseases that occur in an acute form.

Pirantel should not be given to cats with kidney and liver diseases, or worming excessively malnourished cats. Also included in the prohibition column are kittens younger than one month old and weighing less than half a kilogram.

What is better for cats, tablets or suspension?

Pyrantel in different forms does not differ in its effectiveness. But it will be much easier for a kitten, like a small child, to swallow a tasteless liquid than to chew a tablet. The animal will completely refuse to swallow the whole pill. Therefore, if Pirantel is purchased in tablet form, it should be crushed to a powder and poured into the cat’s mouth.

Giving the suspension to cats is much more convenient; just measure the required dosage and pour it into the pet’s mouth. The cat will also not swallow liquids that are unpleasant to him on his own.

Reviews

Oleg: I have been using pyrantel for a long time to prevent worms in my Maruska. I carry out this procedure once every 4 months. There have never been any adverse reactions. The product is very cheap, and I don’t understand at all why overpay for expensive analogues? I recommend Pyrantel to all cat owners!

Christina: I adopted a 7-month-old kitten from my friend 2 months ago. He always ate well, but never gained weight. And one day I noticed that there was a worm sticking out of my Semik’s butt. I immediately ran to the pharmacy, where the salesperson recommended Pyrantel to me. She gave 1/4 tablet every day, on the 3rd day Sema stopped eating. And then he began to have terrible diarrhea along with worms, this is not the most pleasant sight, because a third of the worms were alive. As a result, Pyrantel helped us get rid of parasites; it costs only 65 rubles for 3 tablets.

Lyubov: We live in a private house, and our cats constantly go outside. Therefore, once every 3 months they have to be dewormed. We have been using Pirantel for 3 years now. We simply crush the dose into powder and mix it with milk; this suspension is simply poured into the cats’ mouths with a syringe. No adverse reactions were observed over such a long period of use. The suspension costs 70 rubles; for two cats, 2 packages of 3 tablets each are enough. The drug can also be used to deworm dogs!

Timur: When roundworms were discovered during examination of our leopard, we immediately began treatment. The doctor prescribed us Pyrantel tablets, but the cat didn’t want to eat it on his own, so we had to forcefully put it on his tongue. In 3 days the badger completely got rid of worms. The drug is inexpensive, so anyone can buy it.

How to give Pirantel to a cat: doses

The dosage of the anthelmintic is calculated based on the person’s weight. The instructions indicate doses for people. For cats, you will have to calculate the required amount of medication to take yourself. This is a very important moment. If the kitten is given more than prescribed, the medicine may cause poisoning. A severe overdose can be fatal for the animal.

So, how much Pirantel to give to a cat?:

The recommended dosage of medication for a cat is 1/4 tablet for a kitten weighing 500-700 g and 1/3 tablet for a cat weighing from 1 kg to 2 kg. For a cat whose weight is 3-5 kilos – 1/2 tablet.

A measuring spoon is included with the drug in the form of a suspension. The dose of liquid medicine is measured on the basis that 1 measuring spoon is identical to 1 tablet. This means that a kitten is given 1/4 of a spoon, a young cat 1/3, an adult cat 1/2 of a spoon.

It is most convenient to inject Pirantel into the cat through a syringe (without a needle). To make it easier for the animal to swallow the powder (crushed tablet), it can be diluted in a small amount of warm water and also poured into the cat’s mouth through a syringe.

It is worth buying Pirantel tablets for cats if you intend to take the medicine yourself. In other cases, it is better to take the suspension immediately.

For best results, it is recommended to give the drug two days in a row, in the morning. A repeat dose is given after 3 weeks. This is exactly the period required for the helminth larvae to hatch and for the medicine to have an effect on them. If the therapy is not repeated, colonies of worms will again form in the animal’s intestines.

Within 3-4 days after consuming Pyrantel, the cat may look lethargic. She may have diarrhea and lack of appetite. The reaction is normal and if there is no deterioration, there is no need to sound the alarm. After a few days, the pet should recover.

"Pyrantel" for cats against worms: dosage

The medicine is produced in the form of a suspension (20 ml) or tablets (three pieces per package). 1 tablet = 5 ml of solution = 0.25 g of active ingredient.

How is Pirantel prescribed for cats? The dosage in tablets (250 mg of the active element) is 5 mg/1 kg, and the suspension is 1.15 ml/1 kg. Before the procedure, the cat must be weighed. An average adult animal is given half a tablet or 2.5 ml of solution (a measuring spoon is included). For kittens after reaching three weeks of age, a quarter of a tablet or measuring spoon is recommended.

It is recommended to administer the drug in the morning, an hour after breakfast. If the animal vomits the medicine, the procedure should be repeated again. A new dose of the drug "Pyrantel" for cats (the dosage in tablets and suspension must again be observed) is carried out after 10 days.

What worms are found in both cats and people?

Parasites are divided into 3 large groups: cestodes, trematodes and nematodes. Most often, roundworms are found in representatives of the cat family: hookworms, toxascarids, toxocaras, trichinella, roundworms, etc. Less often, they show signs of the presence of tapeworms (tapeworms, cucumber tapeworms, alveococci, Mesocestoides lineatus, Hydatigera taeniaformis) and flat flukes ( pulmonary flukes, opisthorchis, cat flukes, Pseudamphistomum truncatum, Metorchis bilis, Euparyphium melis).

Almost every second person is a carrier of one or another type of parasite. The following types of helminths are found in humans, including those that can be transmitted from cats:

• nematodes: pinworms, whipworms, roundworms, trichinella, toxocara;
• cestodes: broad tapeworms, echinococci, bovine and pork tapeworms;
• trematodes: cat flukes, schistosomes, hookworms, necators;
• liver flukes.

The following types of worms can live in both cats and humans:

• cat flukes;
• whipworms;
• roundworms;
• trichinella;
• toxocara;
• tapeworms;
• Echinococcus;
• tapeworms;
• hookworms;
• liver flukes.

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:

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.

Even cats that permanently live in an apartment can become infected with helminths. Parasite eggs can be carried into homes on shoes or clothing. Typically, pets are prone to contracting flatworms and roundworms.

If worms are found in a cat, treatment should be started immediately. Lack of treatment can cause serious harm to the animal’s body, as the functioning of the digestive system, liver and kidneys is disrupted; weakens the immune system.

Parasites, along with the bloodstream, can penetrate the pet's lungs and brain . Infection of a pet with helminths several times increases the risk of disease in humans, this is especially important if there are small children in the house.

The choice of drugs for the treatment of helminthiasis should be made by a veterinarian; you cannot do it yourself. The specialist takes into account the weight of the animal and the type of parasites. Sometimes a cat becomes infected with several types of helminths, then combined treatments are required.

The most effective and common remedy for treating helminthic infestations, according to veterinarians, is pyrantel, which is often used to get rid of subcutaneous parasites in humans.

Pyrantel is a veterinary drug that is most often used to treat cats, less often dogs. When using the drug, you should follow a number of recommendations from veterinarians:

• If there is more than one cat or a cat with kittens in the apartment, everyone should be given the medicine;
• Animals can infect humans with parasites: of the 80 types of parasites that a cat can infect, more than 30 can live in the human body;
• Cats are more likely to become infected with round and flatworms. Special medications may be recommended by your veterinarian;

Instructions for use of the drug (dose, frequency of use, duration of treatment)

When using Pirantel to eliminate signs of helminthic infestation in your pet, you must strictly follow the veterinarian’s recommendations. In the instructions for use of the drug, dosages are indicated for the treatment of parasitic infections in humans. They are not suitable for cats. Violation of the therapy regimen can result in serious problems for the animal, especially for the kitten.

Method of treating an animal with tablets

Pyrantel in liquid form is as effective as in tablet form. However, it is better to give kittens a suspension, because feeding them a tablet will require a lot of effort. The dosage of the drug for roundworms depends on the weight of the pet. The younger the animal, the less medicine it needs. Information on the doses of the drug in tablet form and the method of its use is presented in the table:

The table shows standard doses of the drug. The amount required by a particular animal can be adjusted by a veterinarian, taking into account the degree of parasite infestation, the characteristics of its body and other factors. Pyrantel is ineffective against helminth eggs. After the surviving larvae hatch, it is recommended to give the medicine to the cat again. This should be done after about 21 days. The table shows a minimum weight of 1 kg for a reason. You can start giving the medicine to kittens only after they reach 3 weeks of age.

Active components and action

The medical product is developed in tablet form, as well as in the form of a suspension. The pills contain 250 milligrams of the main component - pyrantel pamoate. In addition to the base, the following ingredients have been added to the medicine:

• lactose and talc;
• silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate;
• polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30;
• cellulose;
• corn starch;
• silica;
• methylparaben, starch glycolate and sodium propylparaben.

The suspension contains 735 mg of the active ingredient - pyrantel pamoate. There are also ingredients such as:

• distilled water;
• sorbitol;
• sorbic acid;
• polysorbate 80;
• xanthan gum;
• simethicone emulsion;
• coloring - caramel and flavoring - chocolate and ice cream;
• methyl parahydroxybenzoate;
• sucrose;
• propyl parahydroxybenzoate;
• glycerol

The action of the drug is aimed at the death of adults and larvae, but the drug does not eliminate laid eggs.

As a result of taking the drug, the active substance is concentrated in the intestines after 2 hours and helps eliminate endoparasites. The drug blocks the transmission of impulses from the nervous system, which contributes to the onset of paralysis and provokes the death of helminths. The instructions say that the medication eliminates larvae and mature helminths, but does not harm the eggs, so for a complete cure it is recommended to repeat the procedure after 15 days.

A drug

Any cat that “walks on its own”, occasionally visits a summer cottage and is completely domestic, should be given anthelmintic (anthelmintic) drugs. One of the most effective such remedies today is Pirantel.

Helminths in cats

Why are anthelmintic drugs such as Pirantel needed for cats? Its dosage, by the way, is easily calculated. For helminth eggs to enter the animal’s body, it does not have to communicate with street cats, eat prey, or smell excrement.

Parasite eggs can easily get into your apartment on your shoes or clothes, things, and then it’s a matter of chance. Animals mainly suffer from nematodes (roundworms), tapeworms and a class of flat parasites.

“Pyrantel” for cats (the instructions state this) helps remove all these types of helminths.

Ignoring the problem is fraught with danger for the animal:

• causing serious harm to the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys;
• the possibility of parasites penetrating into the cat’s lungs, brain, heart, which will lead to its death;
• risk of infecting people.

Effect of the drug

"Pyrantel" is a suspension for cats, the dosage of which must be correctly observed, or a strip of tablets. The medicine causes helminths:

• muscle paralysis;
• disruption of metabolism in cells, which leads to their destruction.

The drug blocks the impulses of the nervous system and the contraction of the muscles of the parasite, so that they cannot get out of the animal’s body on their own, but are eliminated naturally.

When using Pirantel for cats, the dosage must be correct, even though the safety index of the drug is moderate (LD = 170 mg/kg). Low toxicity is associated with poor solubility, which is deadly for helminths, but causes minimal harm to the cat’s body. Only a sevenfold dose exceeding the dose leads to serious consequences.

The main striking force of "Pirantel" is aimed at mature individuals of round helminths; it has a less intense effect on larvae and eggs. For parasites in the lungs, as well as for trematodes and cestodes, the product does not cause harm.

If several types of parasites have settled in the animal’s body, then the therapy should be combined.

The medicine is produced in the form of a suspension (20 ml) or tablets (three pieces per package). 1 tablet = 5 ml of solution = 0.25 g of active ingredient.

How is Pirantel prescribed for cats? The dosage in tablets (250 mg of the active element) is 5 mg/1 kg, and the suspension is 1.15 ml/1 kg. Before the procedure, the cat must be weighed.

An average adult animal is given half a tablet or 2.5 ml of solution (a measuring spoon is included).

It is recommended to administer the drug in the morning, an hour after breakfast. If the animal vomits the medicine, the procedure should be repeated again. A new dose of the drug "Pyrantel" for cats (the dosage in tablets and suspension must again be observed) is carried out after 10 days.

To administer the drug, the animal is tightly swaddled (so as not to injure the owner or harm itself during the procedure), clamped between the knees, tilt its head back and press two fingers on both sides of the muzzle between the jaws to open the mouth. Then, using a syringe without a needle, the suspension is injected behind the cheek, and the powdered tablet is injected onto the root of the cat’s tongue. In order for her to swallow the medicine, the swallowing reflex is stimulated by lightly tickling the throat.

“Pyrantel” for cats (the dosage does not matter here) is not prescribed as a means of prevention for either kittens or adults, since its sphere of influence is only worms in the gastrointestinal tract.

The product is effective for:

• necatorosa;
• trichocephalosis;
• hookworm;
• ascariasis (single injection);
• enterobiasis (single injection).

Veterinarians advise changing the type of anthelmintic drug used every year, since parasites constantly mutate and old drugs become less effective against them.

After taking the drug, you can observe in your cat:

• allergies;
• vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• stomach upset.

The drug should not be taken for:

• pregnant or lambing nursing cats;
• kittens up to three months;
• animals suffering from infectious diseases;
• animals that have recently experienced a serious illness or surgery.

Analogues of the product

An equivalent replacement for Pirantel (mg/5 ml) is presented in the table.

Tips and reviews about the drug "Pirantel":

• Many people use a “human” children’s suspension from a regular pharmacy. By the way, it is the leading component of many anthelmintic drugs. The dosage is 10 mg/kg. It is important not to confuse milligrams (mg) and milliliters (ml)! In 1 ml - 50 mg. Livestock breeders advise calculating the dosage for your pet with a veterinarian. The medicine does not have an unpleasant taste, so animals swallow it without problems - just inject the solution into the cat’s mouth using a syringe without a needle.
• Pet owners who have small children in the house give their animals anthelmintic drugs once a year as a preventative measure. Many people choose Pirantel for this because it is inexpensive but quite effective. Although veterinarians strongly recommend consulting with a specialist first.

• Some animal lovers say that before Pirantel they tried and rejected many anthelmintics. There is only one reason - severe allergies in pets. "Pyrantel" is the only drug that does not give such side effects. It is very easy to determine if your cat has parasites - she is restless and rolls around on her butt. In addition, they are clearly visible - the worms crawl out of the anus. The dosage of the drug is usually followed as follows: 1/4 of a tablet for an average adult cat. After a week or ten days, the dose must be repeated. Pet owners cannot determine which is better, tablets or suspension, since both forms of the drug are quite effective.
• Veterinarians advise those who have recently acquired a kitten to be sure to worm the baby, regardless of where you got it - whether you bought it at the market or from well-known breeders. Weigh the kitten and calculate the dose based on 5 mg/1 kg. Don't be alarmed if he vomits - the drug is not toxic, it is a reflex to the substance entering the throat in an unnatural way. If this happens, repeat the procedure. Schedule your next appointment in 10 days. For convenient administration of medication, experts recommend using an insulin syringe.

"Pyrantel" is one of the economical and effective anthelmintic drugs for cats. Since this remedy is a serious medicine, do not administer it to your cat without a veterinarian’s prescription and “by eye,” without observing the dosage.

To successfully remove worms, you must follow the recommendations and dosages specified in the instructions for use. To determine how much of the drug should be given to the animal, you need to know the pet's weight. For 1 kg of animal weight, 5 mg of medication is required. When taking the product in tablet form, an adult cat needs half a tablet, and kittens need only one quarter. If you use a suspension, an adult animal needs to be given half a measuring spoon, a kitten - a quarter of a spoon.

Recommendations for use:

1. 1. Pyrantel should not be given to pregnant cats during the feeding period.
2. 2. It is not recommended to give medicine to kittens under 3 weeks of age.
3. 3. In the presence of infectious diseases, the use of Pirantel is prohibited.
4. 4. During the recovery period after serious illnesses, it is not recommended to give medicine to animals, as this provokes stress for the body.

Since the drug is intended for humans, it has a number of restrictions on its use in veterinary medicine.

1. It should not be used on kittens less than three weeks old;
2. Not prescribed during pregnancy in females, as well as during lactation;
3. Human tablets cannot be used in animals with liver failure (veterinary pyrantel - with caution);
4. Hypersensitivity, allergic reaction to the main and additional components of the drug (including a history).

Pyrantel's instructions for use state that it is a safe drug with a minimum of side effects. However, sometimes phenomena such as nausea and vomiting, skin reactions, allergic reactions in the form of swelling, increased hair loss, decreased appetite, and diarrhea may occur.

Pyrantel should not be given to kittens under 3 weeks of age, pregnant or lactating cats, or animals that suffer from infectious diseases or are recovering from an illness. The animal may experience side effects from taking the drug:

Features of application

The drug Pirantel should be used only as prescribed by a veterinarian in accordance with the instructions.

Selection of dosage

The dosage of a veterinary drug should be calculated based on the weight of the animal. For 1 kilogram of cat weight, 10 mg of active substance is required.

Table: calculation of Pyrantel dosage depending on the cat’s weight

The inconvenience of the tablet form is that the required dosage is quite difficult to calculate for kittens and small animals. The suspension can be easily measured using an insulin syringe.

Reception scheme

After determining the required dosage, the drug is taken once a day for 3 days. It is highly desirable that the times of taking the medication coincide with each other. For example, if on the first day the cat was given Pirantel in the morning, then the next dose is given the next day, also in the first half of the day.

As noted above, this drug does not work at all against parasite eggs, therefore, within one course, treatment does not seem to be complete. It is recommended to repeat it after 3 weeks, that is, at a time when new individuals hatch from eggs, but do not reach the age when they themselves are able to lay eggs.

It is permissible to take Pirantel prophylactically, but only if there are indications for it. However, it is not recommended to use this drug for such purposes more than once every six months.

Can it be used in pregnant cats and kittens?

Pyrantel has a toxic effect on the animal's body, so its use during pregnancy is not recommended.

As for the treatment of kittens with Pirantel, it is only possible for those animals that weigh more than 0.5 kilograms. For them, the drug should be used in the form of a suspension.

For cats, the suspension is injected into the mouth from the side from a syringe without a needle.

Video: how to give the suspension to a kitten

How to give a pill to a cat

The Pirantel tablet has a bitter taste, so the cat will not be able to take it on its own. To do this, grind it to a powder and pour it evenly into a bowl of food. It is important to give a small portion of food so that the animal eats it completely.

No matter how much I tried to give different tablets to cats with food, none of them would eat them, even if the tablets themselves had the smell of fish or beef. Neither raw minced meat, nor a piece of butter, nor dry food fit. Now I don't even try to give medicine that way. It is safer to put a piece of the tablet directly into your mouth and be sure that the medicine is taken in the right amount.

It is also possible to give part of the tablet to the cat as a whole. To do this, you should pick up the animal, tilt its head back a little, open the cat’s mouth and put the medicine on the root of the tongue, deeper into the throat. Your pet will reflexively swallow the medicine whole. During this procedure, it is important to secure the cat tightly (for example, wrap it in a towel) so that it does not scratch the owner.

Video: how to give a pill to a cat

What to do in case of overdose

Symptoms of an overdose of Pyrantel:

• vomit;
• loss of appetite;
• tremor of the limbs;
• apathy, lethargy;
• strong heartbeat.

In this case, the animal needs to rinse the stomach (with boiled water), give some absorbent (activated carbon) and urgently seek help from the nearest veterinary clinic.

Personal safety measures when in contact with the drug

The drug has low toxicity for humans, but it should be remembered that when working with it the following safety rules should be observed:

• carry out all manipulations with rubber gloves;
• do not allow the drug to get into the eyes and mucous membranes;
• After the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.