Drontal for cats: instructions for use, composition, dosage and price

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To treat and prevent helminthic infestations in domestic cats, it is necessary to use practice-tested 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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Availability

In large cities, the question of where to buy drontal for cats does not exist. Any veterinary pharmacy or store has these tablets in stock, allowing them to be sold individually.

However, during periods of seasonal consumer demand, the drug may be temporarily limited in supply. In this case, you can purchase the medicine using the services of online suppliers.

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.

Beware of counterfeits!

Attention should be paid to the increasing falsification of this medicine. Due to the intense demand and high price, it is profitable to counterfeit. Needless to say, the consequences of taking such surrogates can be catastrophic.

To avoid buying a counterfeit medicine, it is recommended to familiarize yourself in advance via the Internet with a photo of the original packaging of Drontal for cats.

Also, at the time of purchasing the product, it is advisable to check the presence of stickers for a veterinary passport inside the box and request a certificate of conformity from the manufacturer.

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.

Adverse reactions

This drug causes virtually no adverse reactions.

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In rare cases, vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation and general weakness are observed as the body's own reaction to the components of the drug or toxins released as a result of worms. Poor health lasts no more than a day and goes away on its own.

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.

Pharmacological properties

The drug is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic for the destruction of tapeworms and roundworms that parasitize the cat’s body. Among them:

• roundworms (Toxocara, Toxascaridae, hookworms);
• tapeworms (echinococcus, cucumber tapeworm, pork tapeworm, mesocestoids).

The effect of praziquantel is to disrupt the life cycles of tapeworms, leading to paralysis and destruction of the parasite. The compound is easily absorbed in the digestive organs, then distributed throughout the cat’s internal organs. In processed form, it is excreted in urine.

Pyrantel fights parasites by blocking neuromuscular transmission and expelling paralyzed worms from the cat's body. The substance is absorbed in the intestinal tract and leaves the body in the feces.

The drug is classified as a low-hazard drug of the fourth hazard class. Taking the medicine according to the instructions does not threaten the health of the animal.

Drontal Bayer does not guarantee the protection of cats from trematode parasites that parasitize the body of river fish. Cats become infected by eating fish that has not undergone heat treatment. If the animal often receives raw fish as food or has access to bodies of water, the owner should take additional measures to prevent the pet from becoming infected with flukes.

The medicine is well tolerated by pets of any age. The purpose of the drug does not depend on the breed of the cat.

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.

Storage of Drontal and precautions

The veterinary drug does not require special storage conditions - it is enough to place the unopened package in a cool, dark place. Care must be taken that small children or animals do not gain access to the tablets; tablets should not be stored near food or human medicines.

In cases where the tablet is given to a cat by force, the person should either use tweezers or wear protective medical gloves. If you plan to crush the tablet, it is most convenient to do this between two tablespoons, which are then thoroughly washed in boiling water with soap.

In a human pharmacy you can purchase a special device for crushing tablets

During manipulations with tablets and animals, you should not eat, smoke, or apply any products (for example, cream) to your hands. After the procedure is completed, the person should wash their hands with soap.

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.

Reviews

Angelina

• My cat is almost three years old. During this period, there have never been any symptoms of worm infection, although the pet visits the street and loves to eat rodents. Every three months I give my cat Drontal as a preventative measure. Unfortunately, the animal does not want to eat the tablet and I, as a rule, mix it with pate. The cat happily eats everything.

Yaroslav

• My wife and I found two kittens near the road in the cold winter. They didn't look their best and were very exhausted. We took them home and bathed them. After one of the kids went to the toilet in his feces, I saw a huge number of white worms. I immediately took the kittens to the veterinary clinic, where the doctor advised them to undergo Drontal therapy. The veterinarian’s advice on how to give the product to little friends was very helpful. We ourselves would not have thought of diluting it in milk and injecting it with a syringe, since these are our first animals and we did not understand how to handle them. A day after taking the first pill, white dots appeared in the cat's litter box . As far as I understand, these are parts of destroyed parasites. After treatment, we undergo prophylaxis with the same drug every 3 months.

Svetlana

• My beloved Persian cat is almost 10 years old. Since acquiring it, I periodically give anthelmintic drugs for preventive purposes. For the last 4 years I have been using Drontal exclusively. The cat is absolutely healthy and has never been sick with anything. The only thing is that after each pill he takes, he has a slight bowel disorder for several days. Otherwise, there are no complaints about the drug.

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

Drontal for kittens

The anthelmintic drug is suitable for the treatment or prevention of kittens weighing at least 1 kg. Typically, the dose is 1/4 of a Drontal tablet. Unfortunately, children are most susceptible to digestive system disorders after taking the medicine. This is due to a still weak immune system. Therefore, before deworming, no new food is added to the diet of a small pet.

Due to their young age, kittens do not yet maintain personal hygiene, so they require outside help. The owner must maintain cleanliness using wet wipes.

A kitten picked up from the street is more likely to already have worms. In this case, it is better not to self-medicate. The baby must be taken to the veterinarian immediately, as treatment may require auxiliary means to combat parasites.

Causes of parasites

Helminthiasis occurs for many reasons. If a cat is outdoors, he can become infected with parasites from fleas or from contact with sick animals. By eating small rodents and birds (and any other raw meat), your pet can also pick up worm eggs.

Homebodies are no less at risk of infection. Sources of spread are the pet's own fur and human clothing. Dirty shoes can contain a huge number of helminth eggs. Purebred individuals can become infected with helminthic diseases at an exhibition.

Unfortunately, many owners are confident that a completely domestic cat will never get helminthiasis, since it is always at home. This opinion is wrong.

Kittens are at risk of picking up parasites through their mother's milk or even while in the womb. Therefore, prophylaxis can be carried out on a cat 10 days before the planned mating.

The appearance of helminths, symptoms

The risk of helminthiasis increases significantly in the absence of regular preventive measures. As a rule, worms may not make their presence known for a long time. However, the following signs of infection still stand out:

• diarrhea (bloody) or constipation;
• weight loss;
• the presence of eggs or worms themselves (white, 5-10 cm in length) in the feces;
• general lethargy;
• dull coat;
• bloating (in kittens);
• loss of appetite (the cat eats too much or refuses to eat at all).

If your pet has several of the above signs, you should immediately have the animal's stool tested for the presence of worms.

Without treatment, parasites continue to multiply and increase their numbers in the body. Too many worms can cause severe intoxication, even death.

In advanced cases, Drontal for cats and the use of the drug (dosage, regularity, etc.) are prescribed by a veterinarian.

Safety precautions

During preventive actions, precautionary measures do not differ from those when using other veterinary drugs. After giving the cat the tablet, the person should wash their hands with warm water.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, contact with the sick animal should be reduced. After handling your pet, be sure to wash your hands with soap. The cat litter box is washed and disinfected after each time the pet goes to the toilet.

Drontal is stored at temperatures up to 25 degrees out of the reach of children. The shelf life of the drug is 5 years.

Cost of the drug

One of the most common anthelmintic medications is Drontal for cats, the price of which can vary slightly. The drug is sold in almost all pet stores and veterinary pharmacies. The average price for 1 package (2 tablets) is 285 rubles, for 1 tablet – 140 rubles.

Reviews

Drontal for cats reviews are mostly positive . Buyers note the high effectiveness of the drug and its availability in any pet store. Another advantage is the price of the medicine and the absence of side effects in most cats.

One of the most common diseases in domestic animals is helminthiasis. The risk of becoming infected with worms is always increased if simple hygiene rules are not followed and preventive measures are not taken by the pet. Therefore, every cat owner should regularly give her an anthelmintic drug, which includes Drontal. Before thoughtlessly using the medicine, you should carefully study Drontal for cats and the instructions for use.

Fluffy pets take great care of themselves and their cleanliness. But unfortunately, they cannot protect themselves from various types of helminths on their own. The owner must come to the rescue here. And an effective remedy for combating parasites and preventing them is Drontal for cats.

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.

FAQ

Owners who do not have much experience in breeding cats often have the same problems. They also apply to taking anthelmintic drugs:

1. Should I give Drontal to a cat if there are no signs that it has become infected with helminths? The answer is clear - tablets are necessary as a preventive measure. Moreover, sometimes the presence of parasites can only be determined through laboratory testing. Worms are so insidious that they do not make themselves felt for a long time. Symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, weight loss) sometimes appear when there are too many parasites.
2. Some cat owners believe that a cat can become infected with worms only at certain times of the year, for example in the summer, when the risk of helminth reproduction, in their opinion, is high. This is a wrong point of view. Worms are not ticks: they reproduce and feel comfortable all year round. This means that it is necessary to carry out planned deworming measures constantly.
3. Another important question: is it possible to combine deworming with Drontal and treating a cat against fleas and other insects. The drug manufacturers do not indicate any contraindications in this regard. Drontal can be used in complex treatment against parasites.

Timely preventive measures will help maintain the health of the pet, and possibly its owner.

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.