Ivermek is prescribed for cats against worms and in case of infection with other parasites. The medicine is available for use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. In veterinary medicine, the drug is used not only to treat felines. You can also give injections with Ivermek to farm animals and birds. Before using an antiparasitic drug, carefully study the instructions for use, find out what contraindications there are and whether an overdose is possible.
Composition, form and effect on the kitten’s body
The medicine Ivermek ON is produced in the form of a solution that is used for injection. It is also possible to purchase “Ivermek” gel intended for oral use at a veterinary pharmacy. The drug contains 10 mg of ivermectin and 40 mg of tocopherol acetal or vitamin E. Additional ingredients of Ivermec for kittens and adults are:
- dimethylacetamide;
- polyethylene glycol 660-hydrokeistearate;
- injection water;
- benzyl alcohol.
The solution can be purchased in bottles with a plastic cap of 400, 500 and 1000 ml. The medicine "Ivermek" must be given to a cat in case of parasitic infection. The action of the drug is aimed at eliminating the following parasites:
This drug allows you to rid the animal’s body of nematodes.
- bloodsuckers;
- roundworms;
- helminths;
- nematodes;
- lice;
- fleas;
- gadflies or ticks;
- subcutaneous, nasopharyngeal or cutaneous parasites.
The abstract for Ivermek informs owners that the active and auxiliary substances affect the central nervous system of the parasite, as a result of which it dies. The medicine does not accumulate in the cat’s body and is excreted well along with urine and bile.
Analogues and prices
The price of the drug at different veterinary centers is slightly different. The average cost of a spray in an amount of 30 ml is 350 rubles. Ivermek gel costs a little less, and a solution of 50 ml can be purchased for 300 rubles. at any veterinary or online pharmacy.
Among analogues, Vormil is the most popular. Although the medicine is intended for humans, it can also be used in animals.
Many pets suffer greatly from ticks, fleas, worms and other parasites. Therefore, it is so important to identify the cause and rid the cat of worms and insects. However, before starting treatment, it is necessary to pay a visit to the veterinary clinic so that the doctor examines the pet and prescribes the correct dosage of the medicine.
What are the indications?
A pet needs an Ivermec injection for parasitic infections. The medicine copes with larval and adult sexually mature forms of endoparasites. Recommended for kittens and older individuals when infected with nematodes and sarcoptic mites. Indications for the use of Ivermek are the following pathologies:
The drug can be prescribed to a fluffy cat who has been diagnosed with demodicosis.
- toxascariasis;
- hookworm;
- uncinariasis;
- notoedrosis;
- demodicosis;
- otodectosis;
- sarcoptic mange;
- gastrointestinal or pulmonary helminthiasis.
Description of the veterinary drug
The veterinary drug is obtained by fermentation of the fungus Streptomyces avermitilis. Contains vitamin E, ivermectin. Ivermek is produced in the form of a sterile, colorless, light yellow opalescent injection solution, packaged in hermetically sealed glass bottles of 1, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 ml. Each bottle indicates the series, manufacturer, date of manufacture, expiration date, volume, method of use, the inscriptions “For animals”, “Sterile”, the active ingredients and their proportions are indicated. The boxes must contain instructions for use.
Ivermek for animals
One ml of Ivermec contains 10 mg of ivermectin, 40 mg of vitamin E. The unique water-dispersed form ensures a high degree of effectiveness of the veterinary drug.
Ivermek is stored in closed packaging out of the reach of children at a temperature of 0 to 25 degrees Celsius. If stored correctly, the shelf life of the veterinary drug from the date of release is two years. After opening the bottle, Ivermek should be used within 24 hours. After the expiration date, the medication must be disposed of.
Ivermek belongs to the group of moderately dangerous pharmacological drugs. Before use, consult your veterinarian, carefully read the instructions, and strictly adhere to the recommended dosages. When working with veterinary medicine, follow the rules of asepsis.
Instructions for use
An injection of Ivermek OR is required inside the muscle; veterinarians often perform injections into the back thigh of the cat. To carry out the manipulation, insulin syringes with a thin needle are used. Some experts prescribe 0.1 ml per 1 kg of cat weight, but this dosage is incorrect. This is also a lethal dose for a cat, since Ivermec has a high level of toxicity. It is better to stick to this use of the drug - 0.2 ml per 10 kilograms. For mild pathology, one injection is enough, but if the infection is severe, the injection is given to the cat again after 10 days.
Ivermek spray is more convenient and safe to use. It is intended for external infestation of cats with fleas and ticks. Processing is carried out as follows:
Treatment of problem areas of the furry with a spray must be carried out after wearing gloves.
- The damaged areas are cleaned of any crusts that have formed. You can use a special solution.
- Spray a small layer of Ivermek onto the fur. When manipulating, a person must wear rubber gloves.
- During treatment, not only the affected skin is captured, but also 1-2 cm of healthy epidermis.
- After the procedure, a special collar is put on the cat to prevent the product from being licked from the fur. If there is no device in the house, then the pet is held until the drug dries completely.
It is forbidden to spray Ivermek spray in the area of the animal’s eyes or mouth, since serious complications may occur if it gets on the mucous membranes or in the respiratory tract.
pharmachologic effect
Ivermec contains ivermectin, which has an antiparasitic effect. It applies to almost all types of ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, etc.), as well as roundworms that parasitize the gastrointestinal tract and other organs. The effectiveness of ivermectin is due to the fact that the substance affects the nervous and muscular systems, so the parasites have no chance of survival.
When using an injection solution, the active substance penetrates the bloodstream, and with it through all organs and tissues of the animal. The therapeutic effect lasts 10-14 days. The injection solution also contains tocopherol or vitamin E. It improves the absorption of the main component and accelerates its distribution throughout organs and tissues.
Important! The active component is considered a very toxic and dangerous substance. In Ivermek its concentration is low, so the drug is classified as safe for animals. To prevent it from harming the animal, the dosage must be strictly observed.
When using a spray or gel, the active component does not penetrate into the blood, but remains on the surface of the skin, so they are used only to combat external parasites. These dosage forms also contain panthenol or panthethonic acid production. These substances improve tissue regeneration. They not only accelerate the healing of the skin, but also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
The gel and aerosol also contain lidocaine. This is a local anesthetic. It suppresses pain well and also has an antipruritic effect. When using Ivermek for external treatment, not only parasites are destroyed, but also unpleasant symptoms are eliminated. The spray additionally contains chlorhexidine, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Thanks to this substance, the risk of developing complications in the form of inflammatory and purulent processes is reduced.
Adverse reactions: why are they dangerous?
When choosing Ivermek and its analogue to treat parasites in a cat, you must strictly follow the prescribed dosage. Since the medication has a toxic effect, serious consequences are possible. Side effects from using an antiparasitic drug are:
Often after such therapy, the fluffy will produce a lot of saliva.
- increased salivation;
- increased tearfulness;
- gagging;
- muscle tremors;
- nausea.
Contraindications and side effects in animals
The product is strictly contraindicated for pets of sheltie and collie breeds, as well as bobtail. These animals are particularly sensitive to ivermectin. The injection form of ivermec can be used to treat dogs no more than 2 times; at least 10-14 days should pass between injections.
Side effects include increased salivation, vomiting, and restlessness.
These symptoms go away on their own within 1-2 days.
Violations of the drug use regimen should be avoided
Is it possible to overdose?
In most cases, the drug is used to treat cattle, so smaller pets require much smaller doses. If the dosage prescribed by the veterinarian is followed, there are no cases of overdose. When the owner neglects the specialist’s recommendations, the animal is likely to vomit. If the treatment period or the amount of the recommended solution is exceeded, the cat’s general condition sharply worsens; they may involuntarily defecate and urinate on themselves. In this case, the drug is discontinued, and if the symptoms do not go away after a few days, then contact a veterinarian for help.
Owner reviews
Marina, volunteer:
“Most people pass cats on the street that are covered in scabs and the animals are meowing and asking for help. I am part of a group of volunteers in our city. To treat scabies in cats and dogs, we have been using Ivermec solution for a long time. An excellent tool. It is inexpensive, but in just 2 injections it helps rid the animal of parasites. The fur grows back quickly."
Alla, owner of the Scottish cat:
“We were prescribed Ivermec for demodicosis. The cat turned out to be intolerant to the drug. After 2 hours, severe vomiting began and continued until the evening. The money spent had to be thrown in the trash, and the veterinarian selected another medicine for treatment.”
Contraindications
It is prohibited to give Ivermek to a kitten that is less than 12 weeks old, and the product should not be used in the following cases:
During the period of feeding offspring, females cannot be treated with this drug.
- pregnancy in a cat;
- feeding kittens with milk;
- diseases of infectious origin;
- liver pathologies;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
What to do if Ivermek exceeds the recommended dosage?
This is indicated by the following dangerous syndromes:
- Paralysis of the limbs, most often the hind limbs;
- Rapid or heavy breathing;
- Pupil dilation;
- Gait disturbance.
Some animals also experience muscle tremors, high salivation, copious and frequent urination and defecation, which often go away on their own.
All these signs are a consequence of intoxication, without eliminating which the owner risks losing the pet. The very first remedy is a diuretic. Veterinarians use it as a detoxification therapy. There are other special drugs to restore all lost functions of the animal’s body, but they are determined by a specialist. We must remember that pregnant, lactating, sick and weakened four-legged pets are not subject to antiparasitic treatment.
Among the advantages of the drug is its low price. One milliliter for injection costs about 45 rubles. While the spray and gel have a higher price - 264 and 400 rubles, respectively. Analogues are also produced - iversect and ivomek.
Analyzing the reviews, both positive and negative were noted. The positive aspects of using Ivermek are its effectiveness, affordable cost, reduction of itching, rapid healing of wounds and accelerated hair growth in the affected areas. The animal becomes calmer and healthier. The drug does not have a sharp, pronounced odor. Negative reviews of the product note side effects and the presence of contraindications. Most often, all the negative aspects of the drug are associated with exceeding the dosage. Therefore, mandatory compliance with all recommendations will only benefit your pet!
Precautions when working with the drug
Vitafel S for cats: instructions for use
The use of a toxic product requires compliance with the veterinarian's recommendations. When applying or administering the medicine, personal protective equipment must be used. To prevent the product from getting on your hands, they are covered with gloves and a mask is put on your face. If the medicine gets on the skin or mucous membrane, wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water.
Working with the drug
How and in what dosage to use the drug
Since the drug is prescribed to combat parasites that torture the animal from the inside, according to the instructions, the drug is used in the form of intramuscular injections. The instructions for cats establish acceptable dosage values for the drug, which directly depend on the weight of the animal, at a rate of one tenth of a milliliter per five kilograms of weight. For the purpose of prevention, one injection may be quite enough, but if we are talking about treatment, the injection should be given every ten or fourteen days, depending on the complexity of the disease.
This two-week period between injections is provided as a precautionary measure to avoid an overdose of the drug. Otherwise, an overdose can cause intoxication of the body, and even death.
In order to remove excess drug from the animal’s body, it is necessary to administer a large amount of fluid and diuretics.
To the question “Where should I inject the drug?” There are two answer options, the first of which is at the withers, the second option is at the knee fold. In both the first and second cases, it is recommended that the injection be given by an experienced specialist himself or under his direct supervision and control.
The drug has a wide spectrum of action, this means that it is also applicable to dogs to combat various ailments. They can be treated with injections and gel, which is sold in tubes. The gel is intended for external use. It is recommended for use two to four times at intervals of five or seven days to avoid overdose. It is actively used to treat lichen in dogs. The gel contains components such as panthenol (promotes rapid healing of wounds and various types of fungal formations on the skin) and lidocaine (has anesthesia properties). Moreover, the gel prevents itching. The main advantage of the gel is that the drug is not absorbed into the blood, but accumulates on the surface of the skin, providing a therapeutic effect lasting five to seven days.
How does Ivermec work?
The composition of the produced forms of Ivermec includes ivermectin, which acts against sarcoptic and demodex mites and their larvae, which cause skin diseases.
Ivermectin interrupts the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles, which paralyzes and kills ectoparasites and helminths.
Ivermec is effective against otodectosis in cats
Ivermectin, included in external forms, is practically unable to penetrate the systemic bloodstream. It accumulates in the outer layer of the skin - the epidermis, hair follicles and sebum-producing glands; destroys ticks while maintaining the effect for 5–7 days. Dosage forms of Ivermek for external use do not affect helminths.
Lidocaine, included in the spray and gel, has an analgesic effect, reduces skin itching and reduces the likelihood of self-harm when scratching. Dexpanthenol accelerates the recovery of skin damage. The chlorhexidine contained in the spray acts against secondary microbial flora.
Side effects
The injection solution has the appearance of a transparent, colorless or light yellow liquid.
Glass bottles of various capacities are usually used for packaging. Pharmacies most often sell containers of 20 and 100 ml. For cats, it is worth purchasing small bottles, since the medicine can only be stored for 42 days after opening the package. Purchasing a large bottle for small animals can be a waste of money. The spray is available as a colorless liquid, although a light yellow tint may be present. To package medicinal liquid intended for external use, bottles with spray heads are used. Thanks to them, the drug is easy to use.
The gel is made on a water basis. Externally it has a light yellow color. Packaged in polymer tubes. They can hold 10,20 or 30 ml. There is no need to observe special storage conditions, but after opening the package, the drug is suitable for use only for 60 days. Since the medicine cannot be used after this period, it is better to put a sticker with the date of opening.
Storage period and conditions
The medicine is subject to rapid destruction when interacting with the external environment, so it is used immediately after depressurization. The product is valid for 18 months from the date of manufacture, 40 days from the date of opening the bottle.
Store the medicine away from food and animal feed, in a dark, dry place. Storage temperature range from 0°C to 25°C. After the expiration date, do not use, but dispose of. Empty containers cannot be used for household purposes; they are disposed of.
Parasites bring natural suffering to pets, since animals depend on their owners, be attentive to them. If your pet is behaving in some way: it has become apathetic, has lost its appetite, or is constantly itching - this is a good reason to visit the veterinarian.
Description of the drug and its benefits
Ivermek is a new modern drug for various parasites in animals. It is absolutely safe for humans, but it is advisable to work with it wearing rubber gloves. Veterinarians prescribe individual treatment for each pet. If you follow the dosage, intervals and buy the right form of the drug, the result of the treatment will not be long in coming.
The product has a number of important advantages:
- affordable price;
- no unpleasant odor or need for ventilation after the treatment procedure;
- the composition of the gel eliminates problems with the functioning of the intestines and stomach in case of licking;
- the drug is quickly absorbed into the blood and distributed evenly throughout the body;
- the unique composition helps make the injection less painful, and the presence of lidocaine and panthenol in the gel relieves pain;
- Vitamin E has a beneficial effect on the cat and helps prevent adverse reactions.
