Every pet can become infected with worms. Antihelminthic drugs are used to help the animal recover and prevent future infections. How not to get confused and buy the best remedy for your dog? Only a veterinarian will help you choose the right anthelmintic drug for dogs, based on the animal’s health status and test results.
Types of anthelmintics for dogs
In pharmacies, a wide range of these funds is sold. They differ among themselves in the form of release, the active substance and the mode of exposure. The most popular active ingredients against worms include:
- febantel;
- praziquantel;
- pyrantel pamoat;
- albendazole;
- ivermectin;
- fenbendazole;
- abamectin.
An anthelmintic drug for dogs can have several active substances and affect several types of worms at once. At the same time, some of them paralyze the neuromuscular system of parasites, while others slow down their metabolism. Still others destroy the outer shell of worms.
The spectrum of action of drugs is also different. In accordance with this factor, medicines are divided as follows:
- Preparations for the destruction of helminths in the intestines. These are funds from nematodoses and cestodoses, such as Fenasal, Levamisole, Praziquantel, Pirantel and others.
- Medicines affecting extraintestinal parasites. These include those used for trematodose and extraintestinal nematodoses, Praziquantel, Dekaris, Albendazole, Pirantel, Pyrrhine.
It is not enough to choose an effective drug for the destruction of worms in dogs, it is important to observe its dosage and treatment regimen, as well as take into account contraindications to the drug and side effects.
Form of medicines
Anthelmintic preparations for dogs have various forms of release:
- Tablets. This is the most popular form. It allows you to correctly calculate the dosage. Suitable for medium and large dogs.
- Suspension. The medicine in this form is conveniently mixed with dog food. The drug can be infused with a syringe and directly into the jaws of the dog. This form of medication is recommended for puppies and small pets.
- Drops. Convenient to use. They do not need to be poured into the mouth or mixed with food. They help to get rid not only of worms, but also of fleas and ticks.
When choosing a drug for parasites, you need to pay attention to the age of the animal. If the medicine is given for prophylaxis, then it is desirable that it has a wide range of uses. If the type of helminthic invasion is already determined, then a narrowly targeted drug should be chosen.
Anthelmintic preparations for dogs: rating of the best tablets
A wide range of drugs aimed at combating worms makes it difficult to choose. The rating of anthelmintic drugs for dogs in tablets will ease the situation and help make the right decision. So, the following medications are considered the best from parasites, according to reviews:
- Drontal.
- Milbemax.
- Helmimax.
- Kanikvantel.
- "Cestal."
- Febtal.
- Dironet.
- Polyvercan.
- Troncil.
These and other drugs in tablets are prescribed for dogs when they find worms. But which one suits your pet, only the veterinarian will answer, after a thorough examination of the dog. If, for some reason, it is inconvenient to give a tablet to an animal, then you can choose a suspension or drops from worms.
Suspensions from worms
Anthelmintic preparations for dogs with a wide spectrum of action in the form of a suspension act no worse than tablets, and it is much more convenient to give such drugs to small puppies. The best suspensions for helminths are:
- "Prazicide." Contains two active ingredients. It is given to puppies who have reached the age of three weeks. It contains two active substances: pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel.
- "Wonderful." The drug is used to treat adult dogs and puppies, starting from two weeks of age. Effective for mixed invasions, nematodes, cestodoses. The drug works due to such active substances as fenbendazole, praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate.
- "Glistogon Celandine." Effective for nematodoses and cestodoses. It has a wide range of effects. It is used for both adult dogs and small puppies.
The dosage and duration of the funds for the treatment of worms is prescribed by the veterinarian. In order to avoid side effects, all doctor's prescriptions must be strictly observed.
Helminth drops
Anthelmintic preparations for dogs with a wide spectrum of action in drops are no less effective than the above funds. They do not need to be mixed with food, but rather rubbed into the withers.
The best anthelmintic drugs for dogs in this category are:
- Drops "Lawyer." They are used not only to get rid of helminths, but also to combat external parasites. They have a wide range of effects. Used for the treatment of helminthic infestations, and for their prevention.
- Drops "Stronghold". Rubbed at the withers. They have a wide range of applications. Used to destroy internal parasites and external. The drug is effective against hookworm, dirofilariasis and toxocariasis. Treats an ear tick and relieves fleas.
So that the animal does not feel discomfort, during therapy, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and give him the drug in the doses recommended by the doctor.
Rules for the use of drugs
Anthelmintic preparations for dogs of a wide spectrum should be used not only for the treatment of worms, but also for the prevention of their appearance. These medicines give dogs:
- ten days before vaccination;
- once in three months;
- before the planned mating.
Puppies are given these medications from two months old.
There are a number of rules that are followed when using anthelmintic drugs for a dog:
- The medicine is given on an empty stomach in the morning. It is not necessary to follow a diet during treatment of helminthiasis.
- Drops from worms are used at any time of the day.
- Before you feed your pet with an anthelmintic, you should treat the dog for fleas and ticks.
- To reduce the negative impact of anthelmintic agents, hepatoprotectors are used. They are given before the anthelmintic.
- When treating puppies, anthelmintic is combined with absorbents.
- After the dog has taken the medication, it should be provided with water. This is due to the fact that some drugs cause thirst.
- If the dog spits out a pill or the pet vomits, then the drug should be repeated after 10 days.
Anthelmintic for prevention is given once every three months, and for treatment - twice with an interval of 14 days.
Contraindications and side effects
An anthelmintic drug for dogs is not offered to weakened animals, as well as to those who have undergone surgery or are ill. You can not give anthelmintics to pregnant and lactating bitches, as well as puppies up to two months.
Caution should be observed if the animal is prone to allergies and hypersensitivity to the ingredients that make up the drug.
Anthelmintic medicines can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, allergies, dilated pupils, apathy, insecure gait, salivation, drowsiness, and other negative reactions of the body.
If side effects occur, medication should be discontinued. At this time, the dog must be given an absorbent and antihistamine. It will not be superfluous to seek the help of a veterinarian.
Drops "Lawyer"
Bayer, the Advocate, has two active ingredients: moxidectin and imidacloprid. The drug is made in ampoules of different dosages:
- 0.4 ml - designed for dogs up to 4 kg;
- 1.0 ml - for dogs weighing 4 to 10 kg;
- 2.5 ml - for pets with a body weight of 10 to 25 kg;
- 4 ml - designed for animals weighing from 25 kg.
The drug is used to combat fleas, lice, lice. Drops are used in the treatment of ear scabies. They treat sarcoptosis and demodicosis. "Lawyer" is used for deworming dogs with nematodosis. To prevent the occurrence of dirofilariasis. In this case, it is used once at the beginning of summer, then again after a month, and then in the last month of the summer season.
"Lawyer" does not affect mature dirofilariae, but reduces the content of microfilariae in the blood. It is used to treat invasive dogs. After treatment, you do not need to wash the dog often. But if the dog’s coat accidentally gets wet, the drug remains effective.
Drops are applied to the withers. It is not allowed to use this remedy for puppies up to seven weeks old.
Reviews about the anthelmintic drug for dogs are positive. People note that the drug is convenient to use, has a wide range of effects. Effectively eliminates parasites. Users note that, unlike other anthelmintic drugs, drops do not cause side effects.
By cons, users attribute the high cost of the drug and its inefficiency in the treatment of tapeworms and flatworms.
Procox by Bayer
The drug is in the form of a suspension. An anthelmintic drug for dogs of small breeds and for large dogs is a combined medicine. Contains emodepside and toltrazuril. Effective against roundworms, sexually mature nematodes, coccidia. Toxocara canis kills at all stages of development. The suspension is available in 7.5 and 20 ml vials.
For the treatment of helminthic infestations, Procox is given orally, once. With severe helminth infection, the procedure is repeated after 14 days. The dosage is calculated based on the body weight of the pet. 0.5 ml of suspension is taken per kilogram.
The cost of 7.5 ml of suspension is 500 rubles, a drug in a 20 ml container will cost 1300 rubles.
Reviews about this drug are excellent. Dog breeders say that it does not cause side effects and is well tolerated by animals. You can give medicine even to small puppies.
Anthelmintic drug "Troncil" for dogs
“Troncil” is a modern combined preparation for the treatment of worms. Contains three active substances, these are:
- praziquantel;
- pyrantelembonate;
- febantel.
The drug is effective against round and tapeworms (roundworm, nematodes, whipworms and others). It acts on parasites at all stages of their development.
The medicine is given once, the dose is calculated based on the weight of the animal, according to the following scheme:
- up to 2 kg - a quarter of the tablet;
- 2-5 kg - half a tablet;
- 5-10 kg - one pill;
- 20 kg - two tablets;
- 30 kg - three tablets;
- over 40 kg - four tablets.
The cost of the drug ranges from 280-300 rubles.
Dog owners note that the drug is effective and does not cause side effects. In their opinion, the medication is simply ideal for large dogs.
Drontal
This is another effective anthelmintic drug with a wide spectrum of action. It has three active components:
- febantel;
- praziquantel;
- pyrantel embonate.
It is effective for dipyldiosis, echinococcosis, hookworm, diphyllobothriasis, toxascaridosis, mesocestodosis, trichocephalosis, teniidosis, uncinariosis, toxocariasis.
Available in tablets for animals weighing 10 kg and in pills for pets weighing 35 kg. The drug has a meaty taste. Indicated for use in giardiasis, nematodes, cestodoses. The schedule and dosage of treatment are prescribed by the veterinarian. The cost of the drug is 260 rubles.
Dog breeders praise this tool. They say that it acts quickly and effectively. It does not cause negative reactions. True, they note that pets do not always like the meat taste of pills, and the tablets have to be mixed with food. In some dogs, the drug caused vomiting.
Kanikvantel against worms
Medication of combined action. Consists of praziquantel and fenbendazole. Affects flat, round and tapeworms. It treats mixed invasions. Low toxicity. It is used not only for treatment, but also for prevention.
One tablet contains 0.6 active ingredients and is designed for an animal weighing 10 kg. It is mixed with food or diluted in 10 ml of water. The drug is given once. Repeated deworming is carried out after 14 days. For prevention, the drug is given once a quarter. A pack of six tablets costs about 360 rubles.
Users consider this drug to be effective and efficient. Dogs are noted to like its taste, and many dogs eat tablets without mixing with food. The medication does not cause side effects and has an affordable cost. It can be used to treat small, medium and large dogs.
Milbemax
Milbemax is an effective anthelmintic drug for dogs. Active ingredients: praziquantel and milbemycin. Indications for use are helminthic invasions caused by nematodes and cestodes. Tablets are made for puppies, small dogs and large animals. The dosage and treatment regimen is prescribed by the veterinarian.
Anthelmintic should not be used in shepherd dogs. They may have allergic reactions to the substances included in this medication. The medicine can be used for gelmitization of puppies who have reached two months of age. The cost of two tablets is 450 rubles.
Reviews of dog owners note that the drug acts effectively against adults and their eggs. But they indicate that the tablets are bitter and difficult to feed the dog. The drug can cause side effects in the form of vomiting, nausea, insecure gait and drowsiness.