To treat and prevent helminthic infestations in domestic cats, it is necessary to use proven anthelmintic drugs. This group of medications includes Drontal tablets. Their chemical composition determines their effectiveness against parasites. The instructions clarify the technique of use, dosage, contraindications and possible negative consequences.
Indications for use
Pharmacists classify Drontal for cats as a combination drug. It is poisonous to roundworms and tapeworms. Under its influence, many varieties of worms die: Toxocara, Mesocestoides, Ancylostoma, Echinococcus, Dipylidium and others. The extended spectrum of action of the anthelmintic determines its use for the purpose of removing and preventing helminthic infestation. Veterinarians prescribe Drontal for cats for nematodes (toxocariasis, toxascariasis, hookworm) and cestodoses (tenidosis, dipylidia, echinococcosis, mesocestoidosis).
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Release form and composition
The Drontal formula was developed by the German company. The veterinary medicine is sold in the form of tablets. They have an oval-elongated shape with a transverse notch in the center. Capsules are placed in 2 or 8 pieces in foil blisters and cardboard packaging. Each box is supplied with instructions for use.
The contents of Drontal tablets include pyrantel embonate and praziquantel as active ingredients. The amount of these substances is 230 mg and 20 mg, respectively. Additional components help maintain a homogeneous consistency: starch, cellulose, polyvidone, quartz, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide.
Drontal has a long shelf life of 5 years. After this period, the tablets cannot be used to treat cats.
The line of German drugs also includes Drontal Plus. Its composition has been supplemented with a third active agent - febantel, and the amount of praziquantel and pyrantel has been increased. But it should be given exclusively to dogs for the treatment of helminthiases and giardiasis.
Drontal, for cats, pack. 2 tablets
INSTRUCTIONS for the use of Drontal for deworming cats (developer organization, Germany)
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Trade name of the medicinal product: Drontal. International nonproprietary name: pyrantel embonate, praziquantel. Dosage form: tablets for oral use. Drontal contains pyrantel embonate - 230 mg and praziquantel - 20 mg as active ingredients in one tablet. as well as auxiliary components: corn starch - 44 mg, microcrystallic cellulose - 25 mg, polyvidone - 9 mg, magnesium stearate - 1.5 mg, colloidal anhydrous quartz - 0.5 mg, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose - 5.4 mg, polyethylene glycol - 1.8 mg, titanium dioxide - 1.8 mg. The drug in appearance is a white ellipsoidal tablet with a dividing groove in the center. Drontal is produced packaged in 2 or 8 tablets in blisters made of aluminum foil, which are packaged in cardboard boxes along with instructions for use. Drontal is stored in the manufacturer's sealed packaging, in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight, separately from food and feed, at a temperature of 0°C to 25°C.
The shelf life of the drug, subject to storage conditions, is 5 years from the date of production. Do not use the drug after the expiration date. Drontal should be stored out of the reach of children. Unused drug is disposed of in accordance with legal requirements.
PHARMACEUTICAL PROPERTIES Drontal belongs to the group of combined anthelmintic drugs. Drontal has a wide spectrum of anthelmintic effect on round and tape helminths parasitizing cats, including Toxosa cati, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma braziliense, Echinococcus multilocularis, Diptlidium caninum, Taenia spp., Mesocestoides spp. The mechanism of action of praziquantel, which is part of Drontal, is the depolarization of neuromuscular ganglion blockers, disruption of glucose transport and microturbular function in cestodes, which leads to disruption of muscle innervation, paralysis and death of the parasite. Praziquantel is rapidly absorbed in the intestine and distributed in internal organs and tissues; excreted from the body in urine mainly in metabolized form.
Pyrantel embonate has a pronounced nematocidal effect, causing an increase in the permeability of cell membranes, irreversible paralysis and muscle contracture in nematodes. which leads to the death of the parasite and promotes its elimination from the gastrointestinal tract. Pyrantel embonate is partially absorbed in the intestine, quickly metabolized and excreted from the body mainly in feces. In terms of the degree of impact on the body, Drontal is classified as a low-hazard substance (hazard class 4 according to GOST 12.1.007-76); in recommended doses it does not have embryotoxic, teratogenic or sensitizing effects. Well tolerated by cats of different breeds and ages.
ORDER OF APPLICATION Drontal is prescribed to cats for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for nematodes (toxocariasis, toxascariasis, hookworm disease) and cestodiasis (tenidosis, dipylidiasis, echinococcosis, mesocestoidosis). A contraindication to the use of Drontal is the individual hypersensitivity of the animal to the components of the drug (including a history of it). Drontal should not be used in kittens younger than 3 weeks of age and weighing less than 1 kg. Drontal should not be used during pregnancy. Drontal is prescribed to cats at a dose of 1 tablet per 4 kg of animal weight (5 mg of praziquantel and 57.5 mg of pyrantel embonate per 1 kg of animal weight).
Deworming of cats using Drontal is carried out starting from 3 weeks of age. The drug is administered to animals individually once, in the morning feeding with a small amount of food. A preliminary starvation diet and the use of laxatives before deworming are not required. For therapeutic purposes, animals are dewormed according to indications, for preventive purposes - quarterly at the above dose. Symptoms that occur during an overdose of the drug have not been established. No specific effects of the drug upon first administration or upon its discontinuation have been identified. In case of non-compliance with the established period of repeated treatments, the use of the drug should be resumed in the same dosage according to the same scheme. Side effects and complications when using Drontal in accordance with these instructions, as a rule. not visible. With increased individual sensitivity of the animal to the active components of the drug, increased salivation is possible. diarrhea or vomiting. These symptoms are short-lived, disappear spontaneously and do not require the use of medications. It is not recommended to use Drontal with drugs containing piperazine due to a possible decrease in effectiveness. Drontal is not intended for use in food producing animals.
PERSONAL PREVENTION MEASURES When working with Drontal, you should follow the general rules of personal hygiene and safety precautions provided for when working with medicines. When finished, wash your hands with warm water and soap. In case of accidental contact of the drug with the skin or mucous membranes of the eyes, they must be rinsed with plenty of water. People with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug should avoid direct contact with Drontal. If allergic reactions occur or if the drug accidentally enters the human body, you should immediately contact a medical facility (bring with you the instructions for use of the drug or the label). Empty drug packaging must not be used for household purposes; they must be disposed of with household waste.
Dosage
To achieve a therapeutic effect, per kilogram of weight of an adult cat should be 5 mg of praziquantel and 57.5 mg of pyrantel embonate. The developer indicates in the instructions for use that one tablet is needed for a kotofey weighing 4 kg. If the cat weighs from 1 to 2 kg, the tablet is divided in half according to the marked line.
If the cat weighs more than 6, but less than 8 kg, then he is given two whole Drontal deworming tablets.
Analogues of the drug
There are many anthelmintics for cats. Most often they are produced in the form of tablets, but there are also suspensions, gels, and drops on the withers. Preparations in the form of tablets have more advantages than drops on the withers, since the active substance enters directly into the intestines, where most of the worms are located. Suspensions are mainly used for small kittens.
In order not to get confused in choosing tablets, you need to know that they all contain the same substances. Each manufacturer just combines them in different ways.
- Pyrantel embonate, or pamoate, is the most common and safest remedy against roundworms. It is almost completely excreted from the intestines unchanged, without entering the blood.
- Praziquantel is the only common drug against tapeworms and, in high doses, flukes. It is actively absorbed into the blood, biotransformed in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Therefore, it is used with caution in case of renal and liver failure and during the reproductive period.
- Fenbendazole - acts on round helminths, penetrates poorly into the blood and is mainly excreted in the feces, like pyrantel. In combination, these two substances enhance each other. Fenbendazole is used for infection with protozoa (giardia, coccidia).
- Milbemycin oxime is active against intestinal nematodes, as well as dirofilaria larvae, which makes it indispensable for the prevention of dirofilariasis. Well absorbed into the blood.
- Febantel is converted in the body to fenbendazole.
Manufacturers of drugs with similar compositions give conflicting recommendations regarding restrictions on use, and sometimes they completely skip this point in the instructions. Therefore, it is better to rely on information about the active ingredients. Pyrantel is safe during the reproductive period, fenbendazole is almost the same, and praziquantel is potentially dangerous. Therefore, in such cases, it is better to use monopreparations containing one active ingredient for treatment.
For adult animals, on the contrary, it is important to use a complex drug that will provide protection against all types of helminths. But for cats that eat raw river fish, the dose of praziquantel needs to be increased further.
Table: comparison of anthelmintic drugs for cats
| Name | Active substance | Dosage | Restrictions on use | Price for 1 tablet |
| Cestal |
|
| Kittens from 3 weeks pregnant in the last trimester. | 100–120 rub. |
| Pratel |
|
| Kittens from 6 weeks, Pregnant in the last trimester. | 40–50 rub. |
| Kanikquantel |
| For 5 kg 1/2 tab. | Kittens from 3 weeks pregnant in the last trimester. | 75–90 rub. |
| Febtal | Fenbendazole 150 mg. | For 3 kg 1 tablet. | Kittens from 3 weeks. Does not affect the course of pregnancy | 8–12 rub. |
| Milbemax | "Children's" tablet:
"Adult" tablet:
|
| Kittens from 6 weeks and weighing more than 0.5 kg, pregnant in the last trimester. |
|
| Milprazone | "Children's" tablet:
"Adult" tablet:
| Kittens up to 2 kg - children's dose, cats from 2 kg - adult dose. | Kittens from 6 weeks and weighing more than 0.5 kg. Pregnant women under medical supervision. |
|
| Dirofen Plus | "Children's" tablet:
"Adult" tablet:
| For 1 kg - 1 tablet. children's, 5 kg - 1 tablet adult. | Kittens from 3 weeks pregnant in the last trimester. | 15–25 rub. |
How it works
Praziquantel in the bodies of parasites depolarizes neuromuscular ganglia and destabilizes glucose transport. Another active Drontal compound, pyrantel embonate, enhances the permeability of cell membranes. The combined action of the two substances leads to immobilization and death of helminths. Under the influence of pyrantel, the bodies of dead worms are relatively quickly removed from the cat’s digestive tract.
Praziquantel is absorbed in the small intestine and enters the bloodstream, where the compound is then chemically converted in the liver. The breakdown products of this compound are excreted through the kidneys in the urine. Pyrantel is only partially absorbed by the intestinal epithelium. Remains of the medicinal component are excreted from the cat’s body in feces.
In order not to reduce the effectiveness of the active substances of Drontal, the drug should not be combined with medications containing piperazine.
Description of the drug
Drontal is an anthelmintic tablet for cats. The drug relieves your pet of both tapeworms and roundworms. The key elements in the composition are praziquantel and pyrantel embonate. They cause complete paralysis and subsequent death of the parasites. Praziquantel is absorbed in the intestine, distributed throughout all internal organs, and then excreted in the urine. Pyrantel embonate helps remove dead worms from the body, is partially absorbed by the intestines and excreted in feces.
Features of Drontal
Before taking Drontal, the cat is first treated for fleas. Fleas are intermediate carriers of helminthic parasite eggs.
Before purchasing tablets, you should read the packaging. Its name should be “Drontal for cats”. Another variant of the name “Drontal Plus” is not suitable for cats, as it refers to anthelmintic drugs for dogs.
The drug very rarely causes allergies in the animal and is suitable for any breed of cat.
Drontal can be given to cats at almost any age without fear of side effects.
Veterinarians are not recommended to combine the drug with other medications containing pyrazine. This reduces the effectiveness of Drontal sharply.
Purpose of tablets
Drontal is prescribed to cats that have confirmed the presence of helminths in their bodies. The drug is used at any stage of the disease.
It is also recommended to use Drontal for regular prevention. It is carried out once every 3 months (but not more often) and 2 weeks before scheduled vaccination. Excessive use of the drug can cause intoxication in the pet's body.
Preventive measures are mandatory, even if the cat does not go outside.
Prevention should not be avoided; parasites can appear in both cats and humans.
Drontal is contraindicated in the following cases:
- During a cat's pregnancy;
- Kittens under 3 weeks old and weighing less than 1 kg;
- When individual allergic reactions of the animal occur.
Side effects from Drontal are extremely rare; in general, the drug is well tolerated by the body. Sometimes a pet experiences vomiting or diarrhea due to individual intolerance to certain components.
Instructions for use
Give Drontal for cats according to the instructions in a dose of 1 tablet per 4 kg of animal weight, during morning feeding. No pre-fasting or use of laxatives is required. If you give the tablet immediately after feeding, the risk of its rejection by the body increases significantly.
If you have difficulty determining the dose, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian for advice.
The drug tastes unpleasant, so the cat most likely will not eat it voluntarily. It is best to follow your veterinarian's advice on how to give it to your cat. There are several ways to give the pill to your pet:
- The crushed tablet is mixed with water and injected with a syringe (without a needle) directly into the cat’s throat. The solution is administered slowly, after first securing the animal so that the pet does not choke. This method is suitable for kittens;
- The drug is mixed with food or treats. For the method to be effective, the cat must be hungry;
- Make the cat swallow the medicine. this requires the help of another person: one fixes the pet, the other places the tablet on the base of the tongue. Then the cat's throat is slowly stroked, triggering the swallowing reflex.
Instructions for use of Drontal
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Before feeding the drug, no special fasting diet or laxatives are required. Drontal tablets are given to the cat in the morning with a small amount of food. To do this, the capsule is placed in a piece of sausage or meat. If the pet refuses to swallow such a “treat,” then it is recommended to use an introducer (pill dispenser). The medicine is placed on the root of the tongue so that the cat cannot spit out the capsule.
Drontal can also be given in another way. To do this, the tablet is crushed into powder and dissolved in a small volume of water. Then draw the suspension into a syringe and squeeze the liquid onto the root of the tongue.
For preventive purposes, Drontal is given to the pet once a quarter.
Benefits of Drontal tablets
Drontal is widely used in veterinary practice as an antiparasitic agent.
Its popularity is determined by a number of advantages:
- acts against different types of helminths;
- complete destruction of worms and their larvae with one pill;
- it is permissible to use for preventive purposes;
- a small list of contraindications;
- suitable for all breeds;
- reasonable price;
- allowed for both young and elderly pets;
- does not have a harmful effect on the cat's body.
Contraindications
When treated with Drontal, your cat may exhibit symptoms of allergies and intolerances. Therefore, hypersensitivity to the components of the anthelmintic is considered a contraindication. The second limitation is the “childish” age of the pet and its low weight. The body of babies is especially susceptible to the effects of intestinal poisons. Drontal should not be given to kittens that have not reached 3 weeks of age and whose body weight does not reach 1 kilogram. The third contraindication is the period of pregnancy and the beginning of lactation. Toxic substances pass into the milk and thus enter the stomach of newborn babies.
Side effects and overdose
The manufacturer notes that Drontal for cats, in terms of its effect on health, belongs to the category of low-toxic substances: according to GOST 12.1.007-76, this is hazard class 4. Therefore, this anthelmintic is well accepted by outbred and purebred cats of different ages, including older kittens. In experiments and practice, no carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic, embryotoxic, or sensitizing effects on the body have been recorded.
If the recommended dosages and contraindications are followed, Drontal rarely causes serious side effects. However, some individuals may develop symptoms of poisoning. This occurs for two reasons. The first is exceeding the therapeutic dosage for the cat. The second is intoxication of the body due to the release of harmful substances during the decay of the dead bodies of worms. Side symptoms are diarrhea, salivation, vomiting, apathy. These unpleasant phenomena are not signs of a serious illness and pass quickly.
If signs of poisoning appear, it is necessary to give the cat an adsorbent (Polysorb, Enterosgel, charcoal) and show it to the veterinarian
How to give Drontal to a cat
In order to feed your pet medicine, you first need to find out its weight. The easiest way to do this is to weigh yourself on the scales with him, and then repeat the same procedure, but without him. The difference between the first weighing and the second will be equal to the weight of your pet. This option is much easier than holding a wildly screaming cat on the scale.
The tablet should not be given to a cat on an empty stomach, as it is a strong irritant to the intestines. It doesn’t matter when - before or after meals, this will not affect the success of deworming. The main thing is to give your pet the drug “Drontal” for cats.
Tablets should not be crushed with water. The drug "Drontal" (from worms for cats) does not have the most pleasant taste. After picking up the pet, you need to open the animal’s mouth and place the tablet directly on the root of the tongue. Then you need to lift the cat's muzzle up and stroke its throat. This helps the swallowing reflex appear. If one person cannot cope with this whole procedure, then you can call on someone from your family to help.
Another way to give Drontal (for cats) is to mix it with a treat. Regular food will not work here, as the cat will simply refuse it. And the special canned one is not only attractive, but also has an enhanced taste and smell.
If there is a suspicion that the cat has helminths, there is no need to speculate and waste time. Any veterinary clinic with a laboratory will be able to check a stool sample.
When a cat has a very strong helminthic infestation (which often happens if you pick up a small kitten on the street), helminths can be detected in the feces even with the naked eye. The animal vomits, which also contains worms. In this case, the drug "Drontal" for cats must be given under the supervision of a veterinarian. The rapid death of parasites will cause the formation of a large amount of toxins in the pet's body, which will lead to internal poisoning. It may be necessary to administer some drugs intravenously. The animal may also have a concomitant viral or bacterial infection, which requires a veterinarian nearby.
During lactation and pregnancy, pets should not be given Drontal (for cats). The use of anthelmintics can harm the health of future babies. And if there was no removal of parasites before mating, then it will be possible to remove worms from kittens no earlier than 21 days after their birth.
Regularity is important in the deworming procedure. Don’t forget to give your pet the drug Drontal. For cats, the instructions recommend this procedure once every six months (if the pet is not looking for food on the street and does not examine the contents of the trash can). When planning mating, deworming should be done ten days before the procedure.
Analogs
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Deworming tablets with praziquantel and pyrantel can be sold under different names. Some Drontal analogues have an identical chemical composition, others combine different active substances. Anthelmintics with similar effects include:
- Pratel. Swiss tablets, the composition of which is completely identical to Drontal. Features a cheaper price.
- Prazicide. An inexpensive domestic drug, the formula of which also contains praziquantel and pyrantel.
- Dirofen. Russian remedy for helminths, containing equal amounts of pyrantel and febantel.
- Cestal. A drug from a French company with the same formula as Drontal. It is distinguished by the flavoring additive “liver”.
- Polyverkan. French preparation in the form of sugar cubes. Contains niclosamide and oxybendazole.
- Milbemax. French-made tablets containing, in addition to praziquantel, milbemycin oxime.
It is necessary to choose a Drontal substitute together with a veterinarian.
