Azinox is an antiparasitic veterinary drug that is used for the treatment and prevention of pathologies caused by tapeworms in cats. The medicine rarely causes side effects, since its formula was developed taking into account the characteristics of the body of small pets. At the same time, the anthelmintic agent effectively copes with the destruction of worms at all stages of development.
general description
Azinox is produced domestically in the form of tablets. Flat round tablets of small size and white color are packaged in blisters of 6 pieces. On one side they have a chamfer to separate the tablet into halves, on the other side there is a company logo. The drug based on praziquantel is considered a universal option, as it is suitable for cats and dogs.
The company also produces Azinox Plus, a combined anthelmintic drug. Its main difference is that it contains praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. Externally, these are small round white tablets.
Note! According to the instructions for use, Azinox Plus is intended for dogs and cannot be used for cats. If necessary, it is better to choose another medicine with a similar spectrum of action.
In addition to the active component, the anthelmintic contains lactose, potato starch and other auxiliary components. The medicine should be stored at a temperature no higher than 25 degrees Celsius, and no special conditions are required. For storage, a shelf in a closet or another place inaccessible to sunlight, away from food and feed, is quite suitable.
Composition and expiration date
The composition is selected in such a way that the active substance penetrates the blood within 2 hours after administration. The tablet, intended for the treatment of cats and kittens, contains up to 50 mg of praziquantel.
The period of use of the product is 3 years, after this time treatment is prohibited.
Also, do not use a substance that has been stored under unsatisfactory conditions. Properly keep the packaging in a dark and dry place, out of reach of children and pets, at a temperature not exceeding +25ºC. After expiration of the shelf life, unused substance is disposed of.
Operating principle
Praziquantel has a wide spectrum of antiparasitic action. It is effective against many types of tapeworms that can parasitize the intestines, liver, lungs and other organs of pets. The active substance affects the course of metabolic processes and the functioning of the nervous system. As a result of this action, paralysis occurs in the worms within a short period of time, which inevitably leads to their death.
An important property of praziquantel is that it promotes the natural release of parasites from the body. Thanks to this, the risk of intoxication due to helminthic infestation is reduced. When the worms die, they begin to release toxins that can poison the animal's body. When using Azinox, such a problem can be avoided, and there is no need to do cleansing enemas or give your pet laxatives.
The anthelmintic agent is highly effective and quick-acting. In just an hour, and sometimes less, the concentration of the active substance reaches its maximum value, since it quickly penetrates from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. The drug is removed from the pet’s body within a day.
Since the content of the active substance in the medicine is carefully calculated, it is considered safe. When used correctly, it does not cause mutations and does not have a toxic effect on the body. It does not accumulate in the body and is not addictive, so it can be effectively used for prevention over a long period.
Indications for use
Azinox is intended for the treatment of cestodiasis, parasitic infestations caused by tapeworms. This medicine is most effective for helminth infections of the small intestine. In cases where worms are in the lungs, liver, heart and other organs, Azinox is used as part of complex therapy.
Veterinarians recommend using this remedy to treat diseases:
- dipylidiasis;
- taeniasis;
- mesocestoidosis;
- diphyllobothriasis;
- echinococcosis.
When to use
The drug is used to treat the following helminthic infestations in cats:
- dipylidia;
- taeniasis;
- echinococcosis;
- mesocestidia;
- diphyllobothriasis.
In the above diseases, tapeworms usually affect the small intestine and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Parasites can also settle in the liver, lungs and other organs. It is important to promptly notice signs of helminthic infestation (decreased appetite, vomiting or stomach upset) and take action, since parasites not only worsen the pet’s quality of life, but can also be fatal.
Note! Azinox is used for treatment only after tests have been taken and the tests have been confirmed. The drug does not affect roundworms.
The medicine affects not only adult helminths, but also larvae, therefore it is successfully used to prevent infection with tapeworms.
Purpose
Azinox is used for the prevention and treatment of helminthic infestations if the causative agent of the disease is identified. During preventive deworming, it protects the pet’s body from tape parasites and flukes, but is ineffective against roundworms (nematodes), due to which it does not exclude infection by the latter.
The drug is effective for the following types of helminthic infestations:
- taeniasis;
- echinococcosis;
- dipylidiosis;
- diphyllobothriasis;
- mesocestoidosis, etc.
The danger of cestodes is that they not only poison the body with traces of their vital activity, but also disrupt the functioning of vital organs. It is difficult to treat cestodiasis: the parasites create a protective calcareous shell around themselves.
Tapeworms parasitize the small intestine. They differ in size and can reach a length of up to 60 cm. The body of the helminth consists of many segments, each of which contains a large number of eggs. When they mature, the segment falls off from the body, and the larvae develop further.
With a small number of parasites in the pet’s body, the symptoms of infestation may not be noticeable. Severe infection is manifested by the following symptoms:
- vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
- hypovitaminosis;
- inflammation of the glands;
- itching around the anus, in which the cat often licks the anus.
Hydatigerosis is a helminthic infestation caused by tapeworms that parasitize the small intestine. The disease is severe in young animals: it manifests itself as a disorder of digestive function, sometimes with intestinal obstruction.
Another type of disease is hymenolepiasis. The causative agent is the dwarf tapeworm, the smallest tapeworm. It can only be detected by analyzing stool. A minor infection does not manifest itself clinically, although sometimes when helminths damage the intestinal walls, diarrhea and intestinal inflammation are possible.
Another type of helminthic infestation is mesocestoidosis. A severe infection is dangerous, which leads to severe digestive upset, dystrophic processes in the intestines, and intestinal blockage.
How to use
According to the instructions for use, Azinox is given to cats in the morning feeding. The tablets can be hidden in some kind of treat (for example, a piece of meat). To make it easier to disguise the drug, the tablet is first crushed and then mixed with food (canned food, pate, porridge). If the animal refuses food containing the medicine or spits it out, the tablet should be forcefully placed on the root of the tongue.
The dose of the medication is calculated according to a simple principle - 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. If the cat's weight is less than 5 kg, it becomes difficult to calculate the exact dose, so you should follow simple steps:
- Crush the tablet into powder.
- Prepare the suspension. To do this, shake the resulting powder well in 10 ml of water.
- Next, the prepared solution is used for treatment or prevention, and the dose is calculated according to the following scheme: 1 ml of suspension per 1 kg of weight.
The suspension is forcibly removed from the syringe, from which the needle is first removed. Before deworming, you do not need to follow a starvation diet or cleanse the intestines with laxatives. The medicine is well absorbed into the bloodstream and effectively affects tape parasites, regardless of where they live.
If Azinox tablets are used to treat helminthic infestations in cats, the dose is given once. If the drug is used for prophylaxis, it should be given once a quarter. Try not to violate the application regimen. If deworming is carried out less frequently than once a quarter, this will affect the effectiveness of the anthelmintic. The drug will not be able to provide reliable protection to the animal from parasites.
Contraindications and possible side effects
Azinox is well tolerated by animals of different breeds, if you strictly adhere to the recommended doses. It has no contraindications. The only exception is intolerance to the components, in particular praziquantel.
Note! An anthelmintic should not be used on kittens under 3 weeks of age.
The medication does not cause side effects. If the animal has an intolerance to the components, there is a high risk of allergies. It can manifest itself with different symptoms:
- nausea and vomiting;
- severe stomach upset;
- refusal of food, etc.
If such symptoms are detected, an antiallergenic drug should be given. If the allergy is severe, symptomatic therapy is used. In the future, to prevent helminthic infestations, the doctor must select another drug that does not contain praziquantel.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of using Azinox for cats are the following:
- practically no contraindications;
- high efficiency;
- fast action;
- safety;
- wide spectrum of action;
- possibility of use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes;
- Another advantage is the availability of medication.
The disadvantages include the fact that the drug does not affect roundworms. If you use the medicine for prevention, additional measures to combat nematodes may be necessary. It has no other significant drawbacks.
Who should not use it, consequences of overdose
Although Azinox is not toxic, it still should not be given to pregnant cats, as well as to kittens that have not reached 3 weeks of age. Praziquantel may have negative effects on the liver and cardiovascular system.
Sometimes parasites can settle in the eyeball, in which case you should not use the drug for treatment. Because parasites cannot be removed from the eyes in this way. In this case, only contacting a veterinarian will help you. Typically, such situations are resolved through surgery.
If your pet has allergic reactions during use, then you need to reduce the dosage.
Azinox sometimes has the following side effects:
- Decreased appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Cramps.
- Diarrhea.
Owner reviews
Svetlana, owner of 3 cats:
“I like Azinox because it is suitable for both cats (we have three of them) and dogs (a Pekingese lives with us). We have been using it for more than 2 years for prevention. I have been tested a couple of times, so I can confirm the effectiveness of the product. There are no problems with reception. For cats we mix half a tablet in crumbled form in sour cream, and for dogs we hide it in meat. There have never been any allergic reactions or other side effects.”
Anna, Maine Coon owner:
“I do not recommend using Azinox for prevention. Terrible product. After it, the cat began vomiting and severe diarrhea, which we could not cure for more than a week. During this time, the pet managed to lose noticeably weight.”
Analogs for worms
There are a lot of drug substitutes. The most famous of them are:
- Praziquantel:
- Biltricide;
- Milbemax;
- Pirantel.
These medications have more contraindications. Some of them are prohibited from being taken during the first half of a cat's pregnancy.
The medicine can be easily purchased at any veterinary pharmacy. The price level for tablets is low. According to the manufacturer, the drug is suitable for almost all animals. There are no difficulties when treating cats and kittens, because... the drug can be given in the form of a suspension.
