The drug CESTAL KET for cats anthelminth with liver flavor 1/10 tablet PIECES

Release form and differences

Cestal is produced in tablet form. Round and flat tablets of gray-yellow color. There is a dividing groove in the middle, which allows you to accurately measure the required amount of antiparasitic agent for small pets.

A cardboard package usually contains 5 blisters of 2 tablets each. In many pharmacies, tablets are sold individually, so you can easily purchase the required amount depending on the weight of the animal.

An important advantage of the medicine is that there is no need to observe special storage conditions. It is enough that the air temperature does not exceed 25˚C, and the storage location is dry and away from direct sunlight.

Note! Children and pets (not only cats, but also dogs) should not have access to the medicine.

Composition and principle of action

The complex antiparasitic effect is due to the active components included in the composition:

• Praziquantel.
  The substance is active against tapeworms. The principle of action is that praziquantel increases the permeability of cell membranes. As a result, the muscles of the parasites contract and complete paralysis occurs, which inevitably leads to their death. In addition, the active component helps destroy helminths, which simplifies their removal from the body.
• Pyrantela embonata.
  The component has a negative effect on roundworms. It increases the permeability of cell membranes and also disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses. As a result of such exposure, the parasites die in a short period of time.

Both components are quickly absorbed into the blood. For example, the concentration of pyrantel in the blood reaches its maximum value in 2-4 hours. Basically, the active substances are excreted from the animal’s body through urine, and partially through feces.

The drug contains auxiliary components: palm oil, maltodextrin, starch and others, which give the medicine the taste of liver. Thanks to this, many cats eat the medicine on their own without coercion.

Features of use and dosage

They give the medicine once. According to the instructions, the dosage of Cestal for cats is calculated taking into account the weight of the animal:

1. For kittens weighing up to 1 kg, a single dose is a quarter of a tablet.
2. If the animal's weight is between 1 and 2 kg, half a tablet will be required.
3. For pets weighing 2-4 kg you need to take 1 tablet.
4. If the animal's weight is 4-8 kg, 2 tablets should be given.
5. Cats and female cats weighing more than 8 kg should be fed 3 tablets at a time.

Since the drug tastes like liver, you can simply offer the animal to eat it. If the pet refuses, you can give the medicine in the following ways:

1. Forcefully place it on the root of the tongue, lift the pet's head and stroke the neck to evoke a swallowing reflex.
2. Crush the tablets into powder, and then add to dry food or canned food.
3. Dilute the crushed preparation in a small amount of water. Give the prepared solution to drink to the animal. It is better to do this forcibly using a syringe without a needle.

Before deworming, there is no need to specifically adhere to a starvation diet or give the animal laxatives the day before.

Note! Cestal is available in two versions - for cats and for dogs. Buy only medicine intended for cats, since the concentration of active substances in it is lower.

Analogues of Cestal Cat

There are many anthelmintic drugs for pets. They differ in the form of release (tablets, suspensions, drops on the withers, injections) and the area of ​​influence. There are narrowly targeted remedies (for parasites of a certain type) and complex ones that destroy nematodes, cestodes and trematodes. Some anti-worm medications simultaneously affect external parasites (fleas, lice mites, ear mites and subcutaneous mites). Which product to choose depends on many factors:

• individual characteristics of the pet;
• possible allergic reactions to chemicals;
• ease of use;
• cost;
• manufacturer;
• purposes of use.

Tablets are the most common form of oral medications, as they have a number of advantages:

• compact;
• well stored;
• easy to dose;
• easy to use.

This form, like drops on the withers, also has its advantages. But the exact dosage in this case is more difficult to determine. In addition, such drugs usually affect external parasites. And if the cat doesn’t have them, why additionally poison the animal.

Below are the most popular anthelmintic drugs. All of these drugs are used once in the treatment of helminth infestation (except for Polyvercan). But in case of severe infestation, re-application after two weeks is usually recommended. For prevention, one dose of medication is enough. All anthelmintic drugs should not be used on emaciated or sick animals.

Table: complex anthelmintic drugs for cats

Photo gallery: anthelmintic drugs

Drontal is packaged in 2 or 8 tablets in aluminum foil blisters. In addition to tablets, Prazicide is available in the form of a suspension and drops on the withers

Profender is produced packaged in 0.35; 0.7; 1.12 ml in polypropylene pipettes Stronghold is packaged in pipettes of different volumes (0.25 ml, 0.5 ml, 1 ml and 2 ml), while a 0.25 ml solution can have a 6% or 12% concentration

For cats with low weight it is better to use Milbemax for kittens

Kanikquantel tablets are packaged in boxes of 24, 48, 60 or 90 pcs.

Briquettes of Polyvercan can be dissolved in water and inserted into the mouth using a syringe without a needle.

Prazitel is produced packaged in 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 tablets in film or foil packaging. Febtal tablets are packaged in 6 pieces per blister.

Video: deworming tablets

Contraindications and side effects

In general, the antiparasitic agent is considered safe and has virtually no contraindications. You should avoid using it if you have an intolerance to the components, including a history of it, as there is a high risk of allergies. Cestal should absolutely not be given to kittens under 3 weeks of age. The drug can be used for weakened and pregnant animals, but only after consultation with a veterinarian.

The medicine should not be given together with piperazine, as this can cause toxic poisoning of the body and serious consequences.

The instructions indicate that Cestal does not cause side effects and is always well tolerated by cats even when the dose is exceeded. In some cases, allergic reactions occur, which can manifest as rashes, redness and other dermatological pathologies. If an animal is allergic to the drug, it is necessary to discontinue its further use and select an antiparasitic agent with other active ingredients.

Please note that the medication contains components that can cause the following side effects:

• vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• nausea;
• refusal to eat or poor appetite;
• lethargy;
• apathy, etc.

If you notice one or more of the listed symptoms, contact your veterinarian to prescribe symptomatic treatment.

Features of the drug

The instructions for use of Cestal state that it can be stored for two years; it cannot be used after the expiration date, as it loses its effectiveness. In addition, there are other rules for taking the drug :

• Before use, starve the cat on a diet or give it laxatives. This enhances the effect of Cestal, but can lead to complications of other diseases.
• Cestal is strictly forbidden to be given together with other antigestamines.
• The use of the drug is possible only from three weeks of the animal’s life.

© shutterstock

Only properly carried out deworming can rid a cat of parasites as safely as possible for its body.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of an antiparasitic agent include:

• convenient release form;
• good taste (as the manufacturer claims);
• Possibility of use for adult pets and kittens (from 3 weeks);
• ease of dosage and use;
• high efficiency;
• availability in pharmacies;
• lack of compliance with special storage conditions;
• broad spectrum action.

The drug also has disadvantages:

• if used incorrectly, it can cause allergic reactions and problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• the likelihood of overdose when used together with other antiparasitic drugs.

Owner reviews

Margarita, owner of a British cat:

“We bought Cestal at a pet store on the advice of the saleswomen. They claimed that they were buying the drug for their pets. At first I mixed the medicine with Lada’s favorite food, but she immediately refused it. Apparently she smelled liver. I had to forcefully apply it to the root of the tongue. This procedure is unpleasant for us, but once every 3-4 months we can tolerate it. The drug works and that’s the main thing!”

Anastasia, owner of a 4-year-old cat:

“I usually use Melbamax for deworming, but this time it was not in the pharmacy. As an alternative, we chose Cestal, which we greatly regretted later. The cat was hospitalized with poisoning. I was on IV drips and barely came out, although I was given the medicine according to the instructions. I cannot recommend this medicine to other cat owners.”

Maria, mistress of Cymric:

“When the cat was diagnosed with worms, the doctor prescribed Cestal. The cat refused to eat the tablets, even when mixed with food. We decided to crush it into powder and dilute it in water, but after doing this, I was left with a severe chemical burn on my hands. We got rid of parasites, but for prevention I don’t give this strong drug to the animal.”

Indications for use of the drug

Cestal Cat tablets can be used as a prophylactic and for the treatment of helminthiases.

Symptoms of a cat being infected with worms:

• deterioration of general condition;
• loss of appetite or manifestation of atypical taste preferences;
• loss of coat shine;
• the appearance of dirt in the corners of the eyes without signs of inflammation;
• disorders of the digestive system (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation);
• signs of exhaustion or bloating;
• pallor of the mucous membranes (anemia);
• the presence of blood in the cat’s stool;
• detection of worms in feces or vomit;
• the presence of small “rice” sticks on the fur around the anus or on the tail (a sign of tape parasites);
• irritation of the anus (the cat often licks it).

Video: how to tell if your cat has worms