Very often, pet owners are faced with the need to rid their pets of intestinal parasites. Infection with helminths leads to intoxication of the body, exhaustion and death of pets. Prazicide Plus suspension for cats is an effective remedy for the treatment and prevention of helminthic infestation in both adult animals and kittens.
Description and main properties
The suspension is a combined anthelmintic agent with a wide spectrum of action, which is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes when pets are affected by roundworms and tapeworms.
The drug is low-toxic and does not have teratogenic, sensitizing or embryotoxic effects. It is distinguished by the absence of side effects.
The presence of a convenient measuring syringe allows you to accurately dose the product. The suspension is convenient to use because it can be given in pure form or added to food.
Pharmacological properties
Prazicide-suspension sweet is a combined drug that has a wide spectrum of activity against all stages of development of round and tapeworms, including Toxocara canis, Toxocara mystax, Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria spp., Ancylostoma spp., Trichuris vulpis, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis , Mesocestoides lineatus, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dipylidium caninum, Multiceps multiceps, Taenia spp., parasitic in carnivores (dogs and cats). Praziquantel, which is part of the suspension, increases the permeability of cell membranes to calcium ions and inhibits the parasite enzyme, fumarate reductase, causing spastic muscle contraction, which turns into paralysis. The mechanism of action of pyrantel pamoate is to block neuromuscular transmission, disrupt the permeability of cell membranes and inhibit cholinesterase, which leads to paralysis and death of the helminth. When administered orally, praziquantel is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, reaches its maximum concentration in the blood plasma after 1–3 hours, is distributed in the organs and tissues of the animal and is excreted from the body in the form of metabolites in the urine (up to 80%) within 24 hours. Pyrantel pamoate is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, providing a longer parasitocidal effect directly in the intestine, and is excreted from the body mainly unchanged in feces (93%). The drug is easy to use, has a pleasant taste and is quite well eaten by kittens, puppies and cats. In terms of the degree of impact on the body of warm-blooded animals, Prazicide-suspension sweet is classified as a moderately dangerous substance and in recommended doses does not have a locally irritating, sensitizing, teratogenic or embryotoxic effect.
Composition and release form
The medicine has a combined composition and contains active ingredients such as praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and febantel. The preparation also contains additional components: polyvinylpyrrolidone, sucralose, sodium benzoate, aspasvit Ts-200, glycerol, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, β-cyclodextrin, citric acid, defoamer, flavoring, distilled water.
Prazicide is produced in the form of a viscous suspension of pale yellow color. During long-term storage it may delaminate. The homogeneous texture is restored after shaking.
The drug is packaged in glass or polymer bottles of various dosages. Each package comes with a measuring syringe for dosing.
Brief description, composition and dosage form of the drug
The antiparasitic medicine “Prasicide” is intended for the destruction of roundworms, tapeworms, and hybrids. This is a modern mixed drug that consists of pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel.
Did you know? A bell on an animal's collar is not only a beautiful element, but also an excellent preventive measure against worms. A ringing toy will scare away a bird or mouse, preventing the animal from eating meat infected with worms.
The action of the substances is quite simple: they paralyze the activity of worms. The peculiarity of the tablets is that they are quickly absorbed into the tissue and also quickly exited through the urinary system.
Prazicide tablets for cats are available in 3 or 6 pieces in a special package, which necessarily includes instructions for use.
Mechanism of action
Prazicide for cats is an antiparasitic drug. The active components included in the drug cause disruption of intracellular calcium metabolism, paralysis of muscle tissue and death of parasites.
After use, the drug is absorbed by the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine for a short time, then enters the general bloodstream. After binding to plasma proteins, pyrantel and praziquantel are evenly distributed in the tissues and fluids of the body. The maximum concentration is observed after three hours. The breakdown of the drug occurs in the liver. Metabolites are excreted by the kidneys and intestines within 24 hours.
Instructions for use
The drug is used as prescribed by a veterinarian after the type of intestinal parasite has been determined. The drug is intended for oral use. It is injected into the root of the tongue forcibly, using a measuring syringe dispenser, or with a small amount of food during morning feeding.
The dosage does not depend on the age of the pet and is 1 ml of the drug per kilogram of weight. Typically, for preventive and therapeutic purposes, the drug is used in the following dosages:
- kittens weighing less than 1 kg - 0.3 ml;
- kittens weighing more than 1 kg - 0.6 ml;
- cats up to 5 kg - 0.85 ml;
- cats over 5 kg - 1.70 ml.
The bottle should be shaken thoroughly before use. The use of the suspension does not require following a starvation diet or using laxatives.
For helminthic infestation, Prazicide is used once. In case of mixed lesions, the medicine is used once for three days. If there is no positive result, the course is repeated after 10-14 days.
According to the instructions for use, Prazicide Plus suspension for cats is used once every 3 months or before vaccination.
To prevent infection of newborn kittens with parasites, the medicine is prescribed to a pregnant cat 15-20 days before the expected date of birth. For animals during lactation, the medicine is given under the supervision of a veterinarian 3 weeks after birth.
How to use the medicine
Treatment and prevention using Prazicide is carried out in a course. Before each use, the medicinal liquid must be shaken, as sediment may form at the bottom of the bottle. The product has a pleasant smell and sweetish taste. For dosing, a syringe is included with the medicine.
- For dogs
For medium and large dogs, Prazicide Plus suspension 9, 10 and 15 ml is used. The calculation of the drug is based on the dosage, 1 ml of suspension is equal to 3 kg of animal weight. For the prevention and treatment of mild forms of helminthic infestation, the drug is taken once. In the severe stage, the drug is given to the pet for 3 days in a row. It is most convenient to use a syringe dispenser.
The medicine is given in the morning by pouring the drug into the animal’s mouth at the root of the tongue. It is allowed to mix the medicine with a small amount of food. For prevention, the dog is given a suspension twice a year – in spring and autumn, when the animal’s immunity is weakened, which means the risk of infection with worms increases significantly.
- For cats
Deworming of adult cats is carried out using the veterinary drug Prazicide suspension 7 ml. The liquid is mixed with the food in the first half of the day or poured into the open mouth. In severe forms, helminthic diseases are treated for 3 days in a row, giving Prazicide according to the same regimen. In mild form, a single application will be sufficient.
The dose of Prazicide suspension Plus is in the ratio of 1 ml per 1 kg of pet’s weight. This remedy does not require preliminary preparation of the animal, any dietary restrictions, or the use of laxative medications or vitamins. For preventive purposes, the suspension is prescribed once a year. Repeated treatment is carried out on the special recommendation of a veterinarian.
- For kittens
The first deworming of kittens is carried out at the age of 3 weeks before the main vaccination. If necessary, if worms come out, the anthelmintic procedure is repeated after a week. When keeping kittens in groups, the suspension is used twice with a two-week break. Liquid Prazicide Plus 5 ml is given to the kitten in the mouth undiluted in the morning at a dosage of 1 ml per 1 kg of weight or mixed with food.
- For puppies
Puppies of dwarf breeds are dewormed using Prazicide Plus suspension 6 ml. To calculate the dose, use the formula 1 ml = 1 kg of pet’s body weight. The medicine is mixed into the food or injected from a syringe into the mouth. For prevention, an antihelminthic agent is given once a quarter, as well as according to the vaccination calendar before each vaccination. In case of mass housing of puppies, anthelmintic measures are carried out twice with an interval of 2 weeks.
For deworming puppies of medium and large breeds, Prazicide Plus suspension 9 ml is recommended. The volume of one dose is calculated by weight. For 2 kg of puppy weight, take 1 ml of the drug. It is poured in concentrated form into the mouth and mixed with food during morning feeding.
Contraindications and side effects
Thanks to the combined composition, the drug is suitable for treating cats of any age. However, experts do not recommend using the suspension if the animal has a tendency to develop allergic reactions.
Prazicide is a low-toxic drug that does not affect fetal development. Many veterinarians do not recommend using it only in the first half of a cat’s pregnancy, as well as within 21 days after birth.
You should not treat a helminthic infestation if the animal is exhausted or weakened by a previous infectious disease.
During therapy, you should strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage, since there is a risk of developing side effects of the drug. They usually manifest themselves with the following symptoms:
- nausea and vomiting;
- bowel dysfunction;
- short-term hypersalivation.
The symptoms go away on their own and do not require additional treatment.
Violation of the dosage or duration of use of the drug may cause an overdose. Its symptoms are:
- weakness and drowsiness;
- depression or increased anxiety;
- refusal of food;
- diarrhea;
- increased salivation.
At the first signs of poisoning, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.
Indications
Let's look at the main indications for the use of Prazicide tablets for cats. The instructions for use indicate that the active components of this medicine affect round and tapeworms:
- roundworm;
- pinworms;
- whipworms;
- hookworm;
- wide tapeworm;
- all types of tapeworms.
Veterinarians prescribe this drug if a cat shows signs of infection with the above parasites.
Animals are often diagnosed with mixed infestations, when several types of parasites live in the intestines. Prazitsid deworming tablets for cats are also effective against such combined helminthiases, as they can affect different classes of worms.
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It is important to remember that this drug helps very little against infection with flatworms, for example, cat fluke. Praziquantel has a detrimental effect on these types of helminths. But the content of this substance in combined tablets is not enough to combat flat parasites. In such cases, it is better to use monopreparations based on praziquantel.
The tablets are also given to healthy cats to prevent heartworm infections. Veterinarians recommend deworming animals for preventive purposes at least 2-3 times a year. Deworming is also necessary before the course of vaccinations.
The instructions for Prazicide tablets for cats indicate the following contraindications to the use of the drug:
- intolerance to praziquantel or pyrantel;
- kitten age up to 3 weeks;
- breast-feeding.
Pregnancy in a cat is a relative contraindication. It is extremely undesirable to deworm an animal during such a period. But if there is an urgent need for deworming, then it is carried out no later than 3 weeks before birth. After this period, anthelmintic tablets should not be given to the cat, even if the infection is very severe.
Prazicide tablets for cats cannot be combined with other types of anthelmintics. They are also incompatible with drugs from the group of cholinomimetics.
The active components have an effect on roundworms and tapeworms at any stage of their development. The drug is indicated for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases caused by parasites:
- nematodes: toxocariasis, uncinariasis, toxascariasis, hookworm disease, uncinariasis;
- cestodiasis: dipylidiasis, diphyllobothriasis, taeniasis, echinococcosis;
- nematode-cestodose invasions of mixed nature.
Thanks to the combined composition, the drug is suitable for treating cats of any age. However, experts do not recommend using the suspension if the animal has a tendency to develop allergic reactions.
Prazicide is a low-toxic drug that does not affect fetal development. Many veterinarians do not recommend using it only in the first half of a cat’s pregnancy, as well as within 21 days after birth.
You should not treat a helminthic infestation if the animal is exhausted or weakened by a previous infectious disease.
During therapy, you should strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage, since there is a risk of developing side effects of the drug. They usually manifest themselves with the following symptoms:
- nausea and vomiting;
- bowel dysfunction;
- short-term hypersalivation.
The symptoms go away on their own and do not require additional treatment.
Violation of the dosage or duration of use of the drug may cause an overdose. Its symptoms are:
- weakness and drowsiness;
- depression or increased anxiety;
- refusal of food;
- diarrhea;
- increased salivation.
Prevention measures
The medicine is used to rid the animal of intestinal parasites, so personal safety rules should be strictly observed. During the procedure it is recommended:
- use rubber gloves;
- do not allow the medicine to get into food or onto the surface of the skin;
- After manipulations, wash your hands thoroughly using detergent.
The manufacturer of the suspension is the Russian company Api-San, which has been producing high-quality drugs for animals for more than 20 years.
You can purchase the product at a veterinary pharmacy. The average cost of a package of suspension is 200 rubles.
Owner reviews
Reviews of Prazicide Plus suspension for cats prove the high effectiveness of the drug. Many veterinarians recommend this remedy for the treatment and prevention of worms in pets.
A small cat was picked up on the street. The suspension was used together with meat pate. The pet didn’t even notice that the treat contained medicine. The drug was given for three days, but the parasites still remained, so we will repeat the course in two weeks.
Anna
My cat periodically goes out for walks, so once every three months I make sure to give him anthelmintic medication. The last time I was recommended the drug Prazicide for worms in cats. The medicine is easy to use, has a pleasant smell of milk chocolate and does not cause side effects. I will use it in the future.
Elena
I used the suspension before vaccinations, adding it to food, which the cat ate very quickly. The parasites came out within two days. No side effects were observed. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions and carefully monitor the condition of the animal.
Daria
I live in a private house, so the cat is almost always outside.
I carry out deworming without fail once every three months. Using pills to treat a cat is difficult. Prazicide Plus is in liquid form, so giving it to your pet is very convenient. The medicine can be used in pure form or mixed with food. This is a proven remedy. It can also be used to prevent worms in kittens. The only drawback of Prazicide was the cat’s copious secretion of saliva in the form of foam. Sergey