What is a veterinary preparation like Dirofen (suspension)? Instructions for using this medication will be described in detail in this article. You will also learn about the indications for its use, side effects and pharmacological features.
The composition of the drug, its packaging
"Dirofen" is an anthelmintic suspension intended for oral use. Its international non-proprietary name sounds like "pirantela pamoat and praziquantel." It is these components that the veterinary medicine contains as its main ingredients. It also includes pumpkin seed oil.
"Dirofen" is a suspension packaged in 10 ml polymer bottles, which, together with stickers for a veterinary passport and a syringe dispenser, are packed in cardboard boxes.
Drug properties
“Dirofen” is a suspension for kittens and other animals, which is a combination agent with a wide spectrum of activity against ribbon and round helminths.
Praziquantel, which is part of this medication, is able to increase the permeability of cell membranes for Ca ions, as well as inhibit the parasite's enzyme, fumarate reductase, thereby causing spastic muscle contraction, which turns into paralysis.
Mechanism of action
What determines the effectiveness of the drug "Dirofen"? A suspension, which includes a substance such as pyrantel pamoate, is able to block neuromuscular transmission, as well as impaired permeability of cell membranes and inhibition of cholinesterase. Ultimately, this effect of the drug leads to the death and paralysis of helminths.
Kinetic features
"Dirofen" is a suspension for oral administration. After ingestion of an animal, praziquantel is absorbed quite quickly from the digestive tract and reaches its peak concentration in the blood after 3 hours.
The substance under consideration is well distributed in tissues and organs, after which it is excreted from the body in the form of derivatives together with urine (during the day).
As for the pyrantel of pamoate, this component is rather poorly absorbed from the digestive tract, providing a prolonged parasitocidal effect in the intestine. The elimination of this substance from the body of the animal occurs unchanged along with feces.
Features and properties of the additional component
What role does pumpkin oil play in Dirofen? The suspension, reviews of which are presented below, thanks to this component, has a unique chemical composition. It includes carotenoids, a complex of vitamins (PP, group B and C), as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids and trace elements.
It is impossible not to say that pumpkin oil is able to stimulate local immunity, accelerate the regeneration of intestinal cells damaged by parasites, strengthen peristaltic contractions of this organ, and facilitate and accelerate the process of liberation of the body from helminths.
"Dirofen" is a suspension for puppies and other animals, which refers to moderately hazardous drugs. In recommended dosages, it does not have an embryotoxic, locally irritating, teratogenic and sensitizing effect.
Indications for use of a veterinary drug
Why is the drug in question prescribed to animals? Experts say that such a medicine is an excellent prophylactic and therapeutic agent, which is actively used in the diagnosis of cestodoses and nematodoses in puppies and kittens, as well as in mixed invasions in other animals.
Only an experienced veterinarian should prescribe this medication.
Veterinary Prohibitions
It is allowed to treat animals with the anthelmintic agent Dirofen only according to strict indications and in recommended dosages. It should be borne in mind that this medication should not be used with a high individual sensitivity of the animal to its main and auxiliary components.
It should also be noted that it is highly recommended not to deworm kittens and puppies younger than three weeks of age. The same applies to depleted and recovering animals and pets suffering from infectious diseases.
It is strictly forbidden to prescribe the suspension “Dirofen” together with piperazine derivatives and other drugs that inhibit cholinesterase inhibitory.
Method of application of veterinary medicine and its dosage
How should the drug "Dirofen" be given to animals? The suspension in question is prescribed to puppies and kittens inside once during the morning feeding hours along with a small amount of food.
If the animal refuses to eat such food, then this medication is administered forcibly. Do this with a syringe dispenser (apply to the root of the tongue at the rate of 1 ml of suspension per 1 kg of body weight).
Before treating animals with the anthelmintic drug Dirofen, the vial with the drug must be shaken vigorously (for 2 minutes).
The preliminary use of laxatives or a starvation diet when using the mentioned medication is not required.
As for prevention, in this case deworming is carried out once every 95 days and before each vaccination.
Therapeutic measures aimed at the destruction of cestodes and nematodes are carried out only according to indications, after consultation with a veterinarian.
With severe invasion, the suspension is prescribed again after 10 days.
Negative Actions
As mentioned above, “Dirofen” is a moderately dangerous drug. In very rare cases, in case of an overdose and the presence of high individual sensitivity in animals, the following can occur: depression, vomiting, increased salivation, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract and various allergic reactions. Puppies may also refuse to feed.
Animal Host Reviews
Helminthiasis is a fairly common disease found in animals. It should be treated without fail, otherwise it will lead to a painful state of puppies and death.
According to reviews of animal owners, “Dirofen” is an effective anthelmintic agent that does not cause adverse reactions. Its use allows you to quickly cure diseases such as cestodosis and nematodosis.
Consumers argue that the use of this medication does not cause special difficulties. It is simply mixed with food and given to animals during morning feeding hours.