Helminthiasis - infection of an animal with helminths - is the most common disease found in cats. Worms cause inconvenience and even danger not only to pets, but also to their owners. They are easily transmitted from furry pets to people. Of course, children are primarily at risk. To avoid infection, which can be dangerous to the health and even life of the pet and its owner, it is necessary to regularly carry out anthelmintic measures. The French medicine Milbemax is perfect for this.
Description of the drug
Milbemax is an effective anthelmintic. It is used for both adult animals and kittens. It includes:
- Praziquantel is an active substance.
- Milbemycin oxime is an active substance.
- Starch is an auxiliary substance.
The medicine Milbemas has the shape of an oval, with slightly beveled edges. The following types of tablets are available:
- With the abbreviation KK and NA extruded and colored red, these are tablets for adult cats.
- With the abbreviation BC and NA extruded, pink or beige in color - this is for kittens and young individuals.
Milbemax tablets are packaged in 2 pieces in a blister, in a colorful cardboard package of red or pink color, according to the purpose of the drug.
Dosage for cats and kittens
The drug must be taken once during feeding. It can be added directly to the cat food itself, or given forcibly by placing it on the root of the tongue immediately after eating.
To calculate the therapeutic dose of the drug, it is necessary to make a calculation: per 1 kg of animal weight there are 2 mg of milbemycin oxime and 5 mg of praziquantel.
For a visual example, below is a dosage table according to the cat's weight .
| Animal weight | Kittens and small cats | Adults and large cats |
| From 0.5 to 1 kg | 0.5 tablets (pink) | – |
| From 1 to 2 kg | 1 tablet (pink) | – |
| From 2 to 4 kg | – | 0.5 tablets (red) |
| From 4 to 8 kg | – | 1 tablet (red) |
| From 8 to 12 kg | – | 1.5 tablets (red) |
Pharmacology
The active substances that make up the medicine affect many types of worms at any stage of their development: from larvae to adults.
- Milbemycin oxime acts on helminths that are in the intestines and stomach of the cat. After taking the medicine, it is actively absorbed into the pet’s blood. The maximum saturation of the active substance in the body appears 2 hours after taking the medicine. Milbemycin oxime leaves the body completely, without residue through the kidneys, 13 hours after taking the medicine.
- Praziquantel, the second active substance included in the drug formula, is adapted to cure any types of diseases caused by helminths, regardless of their severity. Maximum saturation in the body appears an hour after taking the drug. Praziquantel is completely eliminated from the body through the kidneys 4 hours after use.
Milbemax tablets for cats are usually well tolerated by pets. They are suitable not only for healthy individuals, but also for sick and moderately exhausted cats. Can be used in pregnant cats and kittens.
Before use, consult a veterinarian.
Indications for use
Milbemax is prescribed to cats for the treatment of helminthiasis, as well as the prevention of infection with endoparasites.
An anthelmintic drug is used in the following cases:
- infections caused by tapeworms (cucumber tapeworm, helminths of the Tenidae family and Echinococcus tapeworm);
- helminthiasis, which provoked hookworms, toxocara from the nematode family;
- combined infections caused by parasitic worms of both types.
Milbemax helps destroy cat worms at different stages of development (larvae and adult worms).
Interesting! The deworming remedy is used to prevent the development of dirofilariasis. The active components have a detrimental effect on the larvae of heartworms (microfilaria). However, it is ineffective against adults (adults). Therefore, it is used only for the prevention of this dangerous infection, which often leads to death due to embolism (blockage) of the pulmonary artery of the heart.
Side effects of the drug. Contraindications
This medication is generally well tolerated by cats, and the potential for adverse effects is kept to a minimum.
- One type of side effect is an allergic reaction to the ingredients of the drug.
- If the permissible dosage of the drug is exceeded, the animal may develop tremors, which does not in any way affect the life and health of the pet. Tremor does not require additional treatment and goes away within 24 hours.
- Disease of the liver and urinary system.
- Extreme exhaustion of the pet.
- Infectious diseases of cats.
- Beginning of pregnancy in cats.
- Not recommended for kittens under 6 weeks of age.
- It is not recommended to give to cats weighing less than 500 grams.
Excessive dosage of the drug can lead to poisoning of the body.
Owner reviews
We use it in our clinic, we have no complaints, it is effective. In addition, this drug is convenient because the tablets are small, which is very convenient, especially for cats and kittens (and does not cause such salivation as when giving Cestal).
Anna, forum user
https://www.vetclub.ru/component/option,com_fireboard/Itemid,43/func,view/catid,15/id,199/
Milbemax tablets are really a very convenient size. I gave this product to one of my cats. I just opened her mouth and threw the pill (I was lucky - we did without tweezers, the pill itself fell right onto the root of the tongue). Touching the root of the tongue in humans triggers a gag reflex, but my cat immediately swallowed this small tablet. Fast and convenient. True, the cat did not have helminths, but this became clear later.
The tablets are small, the box says it has beef flavor. I can’t confirm this, but the medicine was taken without complaint, without grimacing or drooling. During the day after taking Milbemax, the kittens behaved as usual, ate well and played. That is, they did not experience any discomfort from the drug. Neither in the evening nor the next day they were tormented by either nausea or diarrhea - the anthelmintic was tolerated perfectly.
LadyBug, forum user
https://irecommend.ru/content/odin-iz-samykh-bezopasnyi-i-effektivnykh-preparatov-v-svoem-rode-legko-dozirovat-legko-davat
I have wormed both adults and kittens several times. The animals had no reaction. I bought Milbemax at the clinic on Dybenko.
Olga 720, forum user
https://www.vsehvosty.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=157096
However, in rare cases, the effectiveness of the drug is invisible. But this is not associated with the effectiveness of the drug, but with the neglect of the invasion, and sometimes with non-compliance with the instructions.
My cat is from the street, picked up at about three months of age. A lot of things didn’t help us (including Milbemax) either the first, or the second, or even the tenth time, the infestation was so strong.
nastenamatrena, forum user
https://mauforum.ru/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=45468&start=10&view=print
Instructions for use
To take the drug, there is no need to not feed the animal for 6 hours and use laxatives. The instructions for use say that the recommended dose can be combined with your pet’s morning meal.
The tablets have a specific taste of meat, which helps to avoid problems with administering the medicine; many cats enjoy using this remedy.
Dosage of the drug
The dosage depends on the weight of the cat. The instructions for use provide data on the dosage of the medicine recommended by veterinarians.
- 500 grams – 1 kilogram – half a pink tablet.
- 1 kilogram – 2 kilograms – 1 pink tablet.
- 2 kilograms – 4 kilograms – half a red tablet.
- 4 kilograms – 8 kilograms – 1 red tablet.
- 8 kilograms – 12 kilograms – 1 whole and half red tablet.
Mode of application
The drug instructions indicate different types of use of Milbemax.
- The drug against worms is used for medicinal purposes once.
- For prevention, it is given once every three months.
- Before the scheduled vaccine - two weeks before vaccination.
- Before breeding an animal - two weeks.
- After childbirth - three weeks.
You should buy Milbemax only in veterinary pharmacies to avoid the risk of getting a counterfeit.
Approximate cost and available analogues
Milbemax is a drug in the middle price category: its cost ranges from 400 to 700 rubles. There are cheaper analogues of this drug, but each, like Milbemax, has its own disadvantages and contraindications.
Table: characteristics of drugs similar to Milbemax
| Name | Compound | Side effects | Contraindications | Minuses | Price |
| Prazitel |
| When used correctly, there are no |
|
| About 100 rubles for 2 tablets |
| Febtal | Fenbendazole | When used correctly, there are no |
| Treatment lasts 3 days | About 130 rubles for 6 tablets |
| Trontsil-K |
|
|
|
| About 230 rubles for 20 tablets |
Photo gallery: Milbemax analogues
Prazitel tablets have an anthelmintic effect on endoparasites at all phases of their development
Febtal is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic for dogs and cats.
Trontsil-K is a complex anthelmintic drug intended for deworming cats against roundworms and tapeworms.
Specifics of use in kittens
In order to develop immunity to diseases, veterinarians have developed the following medication regimen for kittens:
- The first time is given at six weeks of age.
- Next use in kittens at eight weeks of age.
- Until kittens reach six months of age, it is recommended to give the drug monthly.
- Then it is used as for adult cats - once every three months.
Before using Milbemax for adult cats and kittens, you should first obtain qualified advice from a veterinarian. He will help determine the type of helminths that the cat is infected with and prescribe the exact recommended dosage of the drug.
Restrictions
Milbemax has a gentle effect, but it cannot be used for deworming:
- animals with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- kittens up to 1.5 months;
- pregnant cats;
- nursing;
- during the period of infectious disease and recovery;
- animals with chronic pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
For such animals, if deworming is necessary, only a veterinarian can choose a safe drug.
Milbemax for kittens - analogues
Milbemax, an anthelmintic for kittens, is a popular and effective drug that is recommended by both veterinarians and experienced breeders around the world. It is easily tolerated, effective against larvae and adults of most known worms and, importantly, it is convenient to give to small kittens, who can happily eat the delicious tablet themselves. If for some reason this drug is not available to you, you can always find the following analogues in veterinary pharmacies:
- Drontal Junior;
- Milprazone;
- Helmimax;
- Pratel;
- Trontsil.
Milbemax for kittens is an effective anthelmintic that is used not only in our country, but throughout the world. The drug is active against larvae and adult worms and, when used correctly, causes virtually no side effects or unwanted reactions. It can be used for preventive purposes at least once a quarter.
Pharmacological properties
Praziquantel and milbemycin oxime exhibit synergistic action and together have a wide spectrum of action on mature and larval forms of cestodes and nematodes. Milbemycin oxime belongs to the group of macrocyclic lactones, which are released as a result of the enzymatic activity of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. Aureolacrimosus. Milbemycin oxime is active against the larvae of the nematode Dirofilaria immitis, as well as nematodes parasitizing the gastrointestinal tract of cats. Milbemycin increases the permeability of cell membranes to chlorine ions, this leads to overpolarization of the cell membranes of muscle and nervous tissue, paralysis and death of the parasite. The maximum concentration of milbemycin oxime in blood plasma is achieved 2 hours after administration of the drug. The half-life is approximately 13 hours after oral administration of the drug; the compound is excreted from the body mainly unchanged. The second component, praziquantel, is an acylated derivative of pyrazine isoquinoline and has a pronounced effect against nematodes and cestodes. Praziquantel, increasing the permeability of the parasite's cell membranes to calcium ions, causes destruction of the tegument, muscle contraction and membrane depolarization, which leads to the death of the parasite and helps eliminate it from the cat's body. The maximum plasma concentration of praziquantel is achieved after 1 hour. The half-life is approximately 3 hours after oral administration, and the compound is excreted from the body primarily in the urine in the form of inactive metabolites. Milbemax belongs to the group of moderately hazardous compounds for warm-blooded animals; in recommended doses it does not have teratogenic, embryotoxic or sensitizing effects. Well tolerated by cats of different ages and breeds. The drug is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Dirofilariasis in cats
Most of the severe pathological changes caused by feline heartworm disease occur before any outward signs of the disease appear, and these signs can be quite variable. Prevention of the disease is very important and more effective than therapy.
The disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the right side of the heart and adjacent blood vessels. A cat not receiving preventive medications may become infected with this disease. Adult worms cause the disease by damaging blood vessels in the lungs, which prevents normal blood flow. This can cause increased stress on the heart, which can lead to heart failure. Adult worms can also migrate to other tissues of the central nervous system, such as the brain. Prevention of cats with Milbemax is effective, oral administration according to the instructions.
The disease is spread from animal to animal by any of more than 70 species of mosquitoes. Adult heartworms release larval forms (microfilariae) into the cat's bloodstream. The mosquito becomes infected by ingesting these microfilariae when it feeds on the blood of an infected cat; Over the next two to three weeks, these microfilariae grow and molt twice inside the mosquito to reach an infective stage that invades another cat after the mosquito bites them. In a cat, these larvae grow, move towards the heart, mate and begin the cycle again.
Terms and conditions of storage
Milbemax has an expiration date and shelf life. These are slightly different concepts:
- The expiration date is the period set by the manufacturer from the date of release of the medicine. Milbemax is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
- The shelf life is the period of time that begins from the moment the package is opened. Milbemax can be stored open for no longer than 6 months.
The drug should be stored in the dark, in a room with moderate humidity, away from food, and away from children and animals.
Side effects and the likelihood of their development
The manufacturer reports that side effects are extremely rare and are usually associated with individual intolerance to some of the components of the drug:
- Oppression and apathy.
- A sharp increase in salivation. The saliva is foamy and viscous, hanging in icicles from the animal’s mouth.
- It is possible to develop a “drunk” or wooden gait.
- Sometimes there is severe trembling.
- In the most severe cases - partial or complete paralysis of the limbs.
In all these cases, the medication should be stopped immediately and a veterinarian should be called. The animal is given as much clean drinking water as possible.
