The benefits and safety of the deworming drug Cestal for cats

Description of the drug Cestal

Cestal is an anthelmintic drug used for cats. The official name of the medicine is Cestal Cat flavour. The developer of the anthelmintic is a large Hungarian company (Lavet Pharmaceuticals), but this medicine is produced in branches.

The manufacturer of the drug Cestal assures that company employees know exactly what the consumer wants

was created by Hungarian millionaires, and the goal of the creation was to provide the international market with high-quality and cheap drugs. In addition to anthelmintics, Lavet produces medicines for the treatment of diseases caused by bacteria and protozoan microorganisms, feed and vitamin supplements and other drugs. The company has factories for the production of medicinal products in different countries.

Release form of Cestal

Cestal Cat is available in the form of round, flat, yellowish tablets with a liver flavor. Each 390 mg tablet has a line mark. The drug is packaged in metallized blisters of 2 tablets and packed in cardboard packs of 5 blisters. Each box is equipped with instructions for use in Russian or a foreign language (depending on the country in which the medicine was produced).

The Cestal box is made in green tones, and in its lower part there is a head or silhouette of a cat.

Composition of anthelmintic

Cestal contains the following components:

• praziquantel - 20 mg;
• pyrantel embonate - 230 mg;
• maltodextrin (molasses);
• Palm oil;
• starch (E 1450);
• alpha tocopherol (E 307).

Maltodextrin, known as molasses, is perceived by some people as a sweetener. Indeed, this additive provides a slight sweetness, but more often it is used to increase the viscosity of the product. Maltodextrin is usually extracted from various types of starch, and unlike sugar, it does not allow the product to crystallize.

Recommendations for storing Cestal

It is advisable to store any medicine in a dry, dark place. It is recommended to store Cestal at a temperature not lower than +15°C and not higher than +25°C. Under such conditions, the drug will remain valid for 24 months from the date of release. The storage location must be inaccessible to children and animals.

It is most convenient to store veterinary medications in a separate first aid kit. It is advisable to store antiparasitic drugs in their original packaging, since toxic components can spread to other drugs.

Cestal is more convenient to store together with other medications for animals

Reviews

Marina from Moscow: our treating veterinarian recommended that we purchase an anti-helminth drug as a preventive measure. Clear and understandable instructions helped me calculate the correct dosage; no problems arose. Everything was fine with the cat, her appetite remained normal, her activity remained, which was very pleasing.

Yulia from Kazan: I can only leave a positive review of this drug, as it helped us remove helminths from a British cat. We use it as a preventive measure every few months, everything according to the instructions. There was one problem - the cat did not want to swallow the pill. I had to get creative - grind the tablet and give her the resulting suspension. No negative effects were noticed.

Indications for use of Cestal

Cestal can be prescribed to cats for the prevention and treatment of the following parasitic diseases:

• toxocariasis and toxascariasis;
• taeniasis and uncinariasis;
• hookworm;
• trichocephalosis and echinococcosis;
• dipylidiasis;
• diphyllobothriasis.

The listed helminthiases are determined using laboratory tests. Therefore, if you want to know the exact diagnosis, you need to contact a veterinary clinic. But Cestal can also be used to prevent these diseases.

Mechanism of action of anthelmintic

Cestal is a complex drug, and its principle of action is based on the properties of praziquantel and pyrantel. Praziquantel causes paralysis of tapeworms. This is due to the effect of the drug on the cell membranes of parasites. In addition, praziquantel provokes the destruction of the upper layer of the worm, and this allows the parasite to leave the cat’s body. Pyrantel is active against roundworms. Its main quality is that it destroys the parasite’s muscular system. This happens by blocking nerve impulses.

The anthelmintic is absorbed into the animal’s blood almost immediately after application, remaining in the plasma for up to a day. Cestal is excreted mainly in the urine.

Cestal is active against the most common cat parasite, toxascarid.

Can it be used?

The medicine is developed specifically for cats and is suitable for animals of any breed.

The peculiarity of the composition is the presence of several active components, which enhances the therapeutic anthelmintic effect.

When the substance praziquantel enters the intestine, it is quickly absorbed and distributed throughout the tissues of most organs. The medication has a detrimental effect on cestodes and flukes. Among them:

• Dipylidium caninum;
• representatives of the class Echinococcus;
• Taenia spp.

The medicine can act in several directions:

1. Changes the permeability of cell membranes of parasites. As a result of this, calcium ions penetrate through the membrane, which leads to contraction of the helminth muscles and persistent paralysis. After immobilization, the worm detaches from the intestinal walls.
2. Destroys the outer protective layer of the parasite, so digestive enzymes become destructive to harmful organisms.

Another component of Cestal is pyrantel embonate, to which nematodes (or roundworms) are sensitive. In these parasites, under the influence of the active substance, neuromuscular blockade occurs. As a result, the nematodes freely leave the cat’s body along with the feces.

It is important to emphasize that pyrantel embonate is effective only in the fight against worms at an early stage of development and their adult forms. The larvae migrating in the tissues remain immune to the drug.

Veterinarians prescribe Cestal when a cat is infected with helminths. A more accurate diagnosis requires research. The following symptoms may be the reason for it:

• a sharp decrease in appetite or complete refusal to eat;
• the appearance of atypical taste preferences in the animal (the pet begins to eat what it previously refused);
• lethargy, fatigue and deterioration of general condition;
• indigestion - diarrhea or constipation, vomiting;
• the coat loses its shine, becomes stiffer and drier;
• impurities appear in the corners of the eyes (the sign indicates parasites in the intestines only if there is no inflammatory process in the body);
• bloating in a cat;
• signs of exhaustion;
• there is blood in the animal's feces;
• anemia, which is expressed in pallor of the mucous membranes;
• worms can be found in feces or vomit;
• small white sticks (like grains of rice) are sometimes present on the cat’s tail and near the anus - this indicates the activity of tape parasites;
• itching and irritation of the anus (in this case, the cat will often lick the anus).

Kat and Plus

Cestal Plus was developed for the treatment and prevention of helminthic diseases in dogs. The active components in these medicines are similar, but their concentrations differ. It is strictly not recommended to give this drug to cats, because... this can cause digestive upset and an allergic reaction.

Features of the use of Cestal in cats

The therapeutic dose of Cestal needs to be given to the cat only 1 time. This can be done in three ways:

• forcibly;
• by crushing the medicine and mixing it with food or water;
• using a tablet dispenser.

There is no need to starve your cat before using the medicine. The use of laxatives is also not required.

Each owner chooses a method convenient for himself. For example, my sister feeds a pill to her cat from a syringe (suspends the pill with warm water). But the first method is more convenient for me - you don’t need to get your hands dirty, buy a syringe and waste extra time. I lay my cat on her back, using my left wrist to hold her in one position, and using my fingers to open her mouth. I throw the pill in with my right hand (if the cat’s head is thrown back, the medicine goes into the throat). With this method, most cats immediately swallow the tablet (reflex). Even if the animal protests, once it has been swallowed, it will not be able to spit it out.

If we are talking about the prevention of helminthiasis, then a single dose of Cestal should be given once a quarter.

A tablet feeder is a small hand-held tool for feeding tablets to animals, working on the principle of a syringe (you can buy it at any pet pharmacy)

Table: dosage of Cestal

Can it be used by pregnant cats and kittens?

Cestal should not be used for kittens less than 21 days old, and accordingly, lactating cats should not be used either (toxic substances will be transferred to kittens with milk). The manufacturer does not indicate in the instructions that pregnancy is a contraindication, so expectant mothers use it. Of course, it is better to deworm pregnant women under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Possible side effects and contraindications

The only side effect of using Cestal in a cat may be an allergy. If your pet develops nausea, vomiting, itching, etc., stop using the drug and contact your veterinarian. In some cases, the animal may be prescribed antihistamines and other medications.

Cestal Cat cannot be used for the following categories of animals:

• kittens under 3 weeks;
• lactating cats (if kittens have not reached 3 weeks of age);
• weakened and emaciated animals;
• cats with individual intolerance to the drug.

Weakened animals also include cats who have undergone surgery.

Price

1 tablet of cestal for worms in cats in online pharmacies costs approximately 90-100 rubles, and in regular pharmacies the cost may be slightly higher, up to 200 rubles.

This drug is sold over the counter, so a prescription from a veterinarian is not required.

Analogues of Cestal

The closest “synonyms” of the drug according to indications for use are the following anthelmintics:

• Trontsil-K (Russia, Moscow);
• Drontal (Germany);
• Profender (Germany);
• Helmintal (Russia, Moscow region);
• Dironet (Russia, Moscow).

Comparative table: analogues of Cestal according to indications

Photo gallery: Trontsil-K, Drontal, Profender, Helmintal and Dironet

Trontsil-K is one of the most economical analogues of Cestal (1 package includes 20 tablets)

Drontal and Profender are produced in Germany, so they are more expensive than Russian anthelmintics

Helminthal has a low price, but the package includes only 1 pipette

Profender is one of the most expensive analogues of Cestal

Dironet is disadvantageous because it has a short shelf life and many contraindications, but there are few side effects