Deworming is a must for maintaining the health of our furry friends. Cats are susceptible to a variety of parasites that can negatively impact their health, just like dogs are. Drontal is a highly reputable brand when it comes to pet deworming.
Specifically formulated for cats and kittens, Drontal targets a variety of common intestinal worms. Regardless of whether your cat is an indoor-only pet or spends time outside, being aware of reliable deworming methods can ease your mind.
This post will discuss the advantages of Drontal, how it functions, and what you should know before giving it to your cat. Keeping your cat free of parasites is beneficial to their general health and happiness.
Medication | Usage |
Drontal | Worm treatment for cats |
Form | Tablet |
Dosage | Based on weight |
Frequency | As recommended by vet |
Side Effects | Rare, may include vomiting |
Indications for use
Pharmacists categorize Drontal as a combination medication for cats. It is toxic to both tapeworms and roundworms. Numerous worm species, including Toxocara, Mesocestoides, Ancylostoma, Echinococcus, Dipylidium, and others, perish as a result of its action. The anthelmintic’s broader range of action dictates how it should be used to get rid of and stop helminthic invasion. For nematodosis (toxocariasis, toxascariasis, ancylostomiasis) and cestodiasis (teniasis, dipylidiasis, echinococcosis, mesocestoidosis), veterinarians prescribe Drontal to cats.
Release form and composition
"Bayer Animal Health," a German company, developed the Drontal formula. Tablet form is introduced for sale in veterinary medicine. They are oval-shaped, longer, and have a transverse risk in the middle. The capsules are arranged in cardboard boxes and foil blisters in groups of two or eight. Useful instructions are included with every box.
The active ingredients in Drontal tablets are praziquantel and pyrantel embonate. These substances have a respective dosage of 230 mg and 20 mg. Additional ingredients such as starch, cellulose, polyvidone, quartz, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide aid in preserving a homogeneous consistency.
For five years, drontal is shelf-lived. After this point, cats cannot be treated with the tablets.
The line of German drugs also includes Drontal Plus. Its composition is supplemented with a third active agent – febantel, and the amount of praziquantel and pyrantel is increased. But it should be given exclusively to dogs for the treatment of helminthiasis and giardiasis.
Dosage
5 mg of praziquantel and 57.5 mg of pyrantel embonate should be administered per kilogram of adult cat weight in order to produce a therapeutic effect. For a cat weighing 4 kg, the developer states in the usage instructions that one tablet is required. Cats weighing between one and two kilograms should split the tablet in half along the indicated line.
The cat is given two complete Drontal anthelmintic tablets if his weight is greater than 6 but less than 8 kg.
How it works
Parasite bodies contain paziquantel, which depolarizes neuromuscular ganglia and disrupts glucose transport. Cell membrane permeability is increased by pyrantel embonate, another active ingredient in Drontal. Helminth immobilization and death result from the combined action of the two substances. Dead worm bodies are ejected from the cat’s digestive tract rather quickly when pyrantel is present.
After entering the bloodstream and being absorbed in the small intestine, praziquantel undergoes a chemical transformation in the liver. Urine from the kidneys contains the breakdown products of this compound. The intestinal epithelium only absorbs a portion of pirantel. The cat’s body excretes the leftover medication component in its feces.
Drontal cannot be mixed with drugs that contain piperazine in order to preserve the potency of the drug’s active ingredients.
Instructions for use of Drontal
There is no need for a specific unloading diet or laxative prescription prior to administering the medication. The cat receives drontal tablets in the morning along with a little meal. The capsule is inserted into a piece of meat or sausage to accomplish this. It is advised to use an introducer (tablet dispenser) if the pet won’t swallow such a "treat". To prevent the cat from spitting out the capsule, the medication is applied to the base of the tongue.
There is another way to administer drontal. This can be accomplished by powdering the tablet and dissolving it in a small amount of water. After that, pour the suspension into a syringe and inject the liquid into the tongue’s root.
As a preventive measure, the pet is given Drontal once every three months.
Contraindications
The cat may exhibit allergy and intolerance symptoms while receiving Drontal treatment. Consequently, it is deemed contraindicated if there is hypersensitivity to any of the anthelmintic’s ingredients. The pet’s "childhood" age and light weight constitute the second restriction. Babies’ bodies are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of intestinal toxins. If a kitten is not three weeks old or weighs less than one kilogram, it should not be given drontal. Pregnancy and the start of lactation constitute the third contraindication. When toxic substances get into the milk, they end up in the stomachs of the baby cubs.
A common deworming drug for dogs and cats, Rontal works well against a variety of intestinal parasites. Keeping your furry friends healthy is crucial because these parasites can cause major health problems. When Drontal is given as prescribed, it keeps your pets free of parasites and enhances their general health and vitality. Knowing when and how to use Drontal is essential for any pet owner because regular deworming is an essential component of responsible pet care.
Side effects and overdose
According to the manufacturer, Drontal for cats falls into the fourth hazard class (GOST 12.1.007-76) of low-toxic substances with respect to health effects. As a result, grown kittens as well as purebred cats of various ages respond favorably to this anthelmintic. No known carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic, embryotoxic, or sensitizing effects on the body have been observed in studies or real-world applications.
Seldom does the medication Drontal cause significant side effects when taken as directed and in accordance with prescription guidelines. On the other hand, some people might suffer from poisoning symptoms. There are two reasons why this happens. The first is going over a cat’s prescribed dosage. The second is intoxication of the body brought on by toxic substances released when worms decompose. Apathy, vomiting, salivation, and diarrhea are examples of side effects. These uncomfortable occurrences pass quickly and are not indicative of a serious illness.
If the cat shows signs of poisoning, give it an adsorbent (Coal, Enterosgel, Polysorb) and let the vet know.
Average price for Drontal
An anthelmintic medication can be ordered online or bought straight from a veterinary supply store. A package of two tablets of Drontal for cats typically costs between 190 and 350 rubles. The purchase price and the price set by a particular point of sale determine the variable price scale.
Analogues
Different names can be produced for anthelmintic tablets containing pyrantel and praziquantel. While some Drontal analogues combine several active ingredients, others have the same chemical makeup. Anthelmintics that have comparable outcomes comprise:
- Pratel. Swiss tablets, the composition of which is completely identical to Drontal. It has a cheaper price.
- Prazicide. An inexpensive domestic drug, the formula of which also contains praziquantel and pyrantel.
- Dirofen. Russian agent from helminths containing in equal quantities Pirantel and Phoebantel.
- Cestal. A drug from a French company with the same formula as Drontal. It has a “liver” flavor additive.
- Polyverkan. A French preparation in the form of sugar cubes. Contains niclosamide and oxibendazole.
- Milbemax. French-made tablets, which in addition to praziquantel contain milbemycin oxime.
You and a veterinarian must decide on a Drontal replacement together.
For both cats and dogs, Drontal is a reliable deworming treatment that will keep your pets happy and healthy. It assists in preventing potential health problems that may result from infestations by efficiently targeting common parasites.
It’s simple for pet owners to use Drontal and stay on top of their pets’ medical needs. Frequent deworming helps to keep everyone in the home healthier in addition to protecting your pets.
To make sure that deworming is the best course of action for your pet, always speak with your veterinarian before beginning any treatment. You can help your dog or cat live without parasites and have more time for play and cuddles with them if you give them the proper care and attention!