One of the most popular medications for deworming puppies and kittens is pyrantel pamoate. When given to sick or weak animals who need to be dewormed, it can also be used to control parasites in adult pets and is generally safe. When certain parasites’ neurological systems are affected, such as by pyrantel pamoate, the effect is paralysis and worm death.
Although pyrantel pamoate is sold over the counter, it must only be used with a veterinarian’s approval and direction.
Which intestinal parasites should we treat?
A shelter’s deworming program should ideally be based on an understanding of the parasites that are prevalent in the population it serves. However, there are certain generic deworming recommendations that can be applicable to almost all people living in shelters. For instance, hookworms and roundworms are common in puppies and kittens. These are especially crucial since infections in young animals are very prevalent and can be very serious. This is because illnesses can be passed from mothers to puppies or kittens via the placenta or the mammary gland. Roundworm infections can affect up to 80% of puppies, and since only 20% of these infections are normally found via a fecal exam, they should be treated regardless of the results. Additionally, roundworms and hookworms are also zoonotic, which is still another reason why it is so important to control them.
Last but not least, it is nearly hard to eliminate roundworm eggs from the environment, which is another reason to treat animals prophylactically to stop shedding. Whipworms are less prevalent than hookworms or roundworms and are often of less consequence in a shelter setting. Therefore, unless whipworm eggs are discovered during a fecal check, whipworm treatment may not be required. Whipworms should also be treated for in all dogs older than three months because, like roundworm eggs, they are particularly resistant to disinfection.
Many shelters will only treat for tapeworms if they find worm segments in the feces or close to the anus, if they discover tapeworm eggs during a fecal examination, or if they notice fleas on the cat. It’s probably more crucial to treat all animals for fleas at the time of intake than tapeworms.
Ponazuril (Marquis Paste) should be administered to all pups and kittens starting at 2-3 weeks of age, repeated in 10-14 days, and then as necessary depending on clinical signs/fecal exams if coccidia is a problem in the shelter’s puppies and cats.
Which animals should be treated for intestinal parasites?
All companion animals should be treated year-round with broad-spectrum heartworm antihelminthics that have activity against parasites with zoonotic potential, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). Therefore, it would be preferable to provide all shelter animals with as much access to treatment for common parasites as feasible. But constrained shelter resources frequently force less-than-ideal solutions.
However, certain broad recommendations for treating parasites should be applicable to almost all populations living in shelters. Because roundworms and hookworms are so prevalent in puppies and kittens, preventive deworming of all animals younger than three to four months of age may be especially crucial.
It should be emphasized that all age groups of dogs had intestinal parasites, according to a national study of parasites in shelter dogs. In this study, roundworms and coccidia were less prevalent in adults than in puppies, but whipworms and hookworms were equally as prevalent in older canines as they were in pups. Therefore, it is advised to use a broad spectrum dewormer, such as pyrantal, to treat all animals upon intake.
What is the suggested basic deworming protocol?
Pyrantel is the most practicable dewormer to use for treating hookworms and roundworms (Strongid or Nemex). Puppies and kittens should receive treatment right away (as early as 2 weeks of age), then every 2-3 weeks until they are 8 to 12 weeks old. Treatment repetition is crucial!
Pyrantel should be administered twice for adults to deworm them: once right away if they are taken in and once more if they are still staying in the shelter 2-3 weeks later.
A plan should be created with a veterinarian if whipworms, tapeworms, Giardia, or coccidia are found, or if other parasites are a common problem.
What about environmental contamination?
Some parasites’ eggs or cysts are extremely resistant to disinfection and can survive for a very long time in the environment. These include coccidia and roundworms, as examples. Other parasites, such Giardia and Tritrichomonas, are more quickly eliminated by drying and most disinfectants because they are more delicate in the environment.
Are Strongid and Pyrantel the same thing?
No, pyrantel pamoate does not kill tapeworms on its own, and no medications for cats that just contain pyrantel pamoate have been approved by the FDA. However, there are combination treatments that combine pyrantel and other deworming drugs in addition to treating tapeworms. For instance, Drontal, an FDA-approved medication for treating tapeworms in cats and kittens, comprises pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel.
In a single treatment, Nemex solutions can get rid of both hookworms and roundworms. To assist get rid of worms that frequently reinfest dogs, it is frequently used as part of a deworming regimen. Consult your pet’s veterinarian to determine the best course of therapy.
Pyrantel pamoate is an ingredient in the horse dewormer Strongid T. Pyrantel is FDA-approved to get rid of pinworms, big roundworms, and big and tiny strongyles in horses. Dogs are not supposed to use this medication.
The medication’s maker did not pay any vet writers or certified reviewers for their work on this article. The manufacturer or the public are the only sources of information used in this article.
What dosage of Strongid is safe for my dog?
- Horses and foals are administered Strongid Paste orally to treat and control mature infections of internal parasites (large and small strongyles, pinworms, and large roundworms).
- Strongid Paste comes in oral syringes that each hold four 300 lb dosages.
- The recommended dosage for Strongid Paste is one oral dose containing 3 mg of pyrantel base per lb of body weight. There are 4 weight mark increments on the syringe. Each weight point represents the dose that is suggested for a 300 lb body weight.
NOTE:
Place the screw gauge over the necessary plunger mark. The amount of pyrantel base in each ml is 180 mg as pyrantel pamoate. It is advised that foals (2-8 months old) be dosed every 4 weeks for the best parasite control. The mare should be treated one month before the expected due date and then again 10 to 2 weeks after the foal is born in order to reduce any risk of infection that the mare may provide to the foal. Over 8-month-old horses and ponies should usually receive a dosage every six weeks.
Which dog dewormer available over the counter works the best?
The top dog dewormers available are listed below:
- Excel Safe-Guard 4 Canine Dewormer is the best overall dog dewormer.
- Nemex 2 Liquid Dewormer for Dogs is the best liquid dewormer available.
- Bayer Quad Dewormer Chewable Tablets for Pups and Small Dogs are the best dewormer for puppies.
What dewormer do vets prescribe for dogs?
An anthelmintic, pyrantel pamoate (trade names Nemex, Nemex 2) (dewormer). In addition to dogs, cats, small animals, and birds, it is used to treat intestinal roundworm, hookworm, and stomach worm parasites in many other species.
Pyrantel pamoate is used off-label to treat intestinal parasites in cats. In addition to treating birds, small animals including rabbits and rodents, as well as humans, this medicine is also used off-label to treat roundworms and hookworms. In veterinary medicine, many medications are frequently administered for off-label use. In these situations, pay close attention to your veterinarian’s instructions and warnings.
Various combination medications for the treatment of heartworm and/or other intestinal parasites contain pyrantel pamoate as well.
How is pyrantel pamoate given?
There are three different forms of pyrantel pamoate: capsules, chewable tablets, and liquid solution. It is recommended to provide pyrantel pamoate orally, with or without food. Before usage, liquid forms need to be thoroughly shaken. Take care when measuring the dosage. Observe your veterinarian’s dosage recommendations.
Although effects should be noticeable within one to two hours, it’s possible that they won’t be, necessitating the necessity for laboratory testing to determine this medication’s efficacy.
What if I miss giving my pet the medication?
If you forget to administer a dose, do it as soon as you remember, and then wait the period of time between doses that your veterinarian suggests before administering again. Never administer additional dosages or two doses at once to your pet.
It is crucial to administer the medication for the duration that your veterinarian has advised.
Are there any potential side effects?
When used properly, pyrantel pamoate’s side effects are uncommon but can include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea. Future doses should be administered with food if vomiting occurs after receiving a dose on an empty stomach.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite could happen as a result of parasite removal. If these symptoms worsen or persist, speak with your veterinarian. The effects of this quick-acting medicine should wear off after 24 hours, though they may last longer in animals with liver or renal illness.
Are there any risk factors for this medication?
Pets with pyrantel pamoate allergies or those that are very weak or frail shouldn’t use it. It is regarded as safe to use in nursing animals, although pregnant animals should be handled carefully (carefully follow the dose instructions).
Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?
Levamisole (Ripercol, Tramisol), morantel (Rumatel), and piperazine are among the medications that may interact with pyrantel pamoate (Pipa-Tabs). Avoid using pyrantel pamoate while exposed to organophosphates (pesticides). Any medications your pet is receiving, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments, should be disclosed to your veterinarian.
How do I store pyrantel pamoate?
Pyrantel pamoate pills have to be kept at room temperature, in a tightly closed container, and shielded from light (15C-30C or 59F-86F). Direct sunlight should not be allowed to touch liquid solutions.
What should I do in case of an emergency?
When used repeatedly over several months, pyrantel pamoate can be harmful. Call your veterinarian’s office right away if you think your pet may have taken too much medication or is having an unfavorable reaction to it. Follow their instructions for contacting an emergency facility if they are not readily available.
Do Strongid’s worms have hooks?
Roundworms and hookworms can both be treated with Strongid-T, a general dewormer. Puppies should receive three doses of this dewormer because the majority of them are born with internal parasites or worms that were passed down from their mother. Adult dogs with worms can also receive treatment with it.
Are tapeworms treated by Strongid?
Pyrantel tartrate (Strongid C), fed daily, was more efficient than 3 pyrantel pamoate (Strongid), fed at intervals of 8 weeks in eradicating tapeworms as determined by the quantity of tapeworm eggs per gram of feces.
Can people consume Strongid?
The results of pyrantel pamoate (Strongid, Nemocid) for the treatment of hookworms and roundworms in people, animals, and pets can differ depending on the kind of parasite and level of resistance [3]. Ascaris species and similar roundworms are often more sensitive to pyrantel than hookworms and Trichuris species [3]. The most typical applications of pyrantel include treatment of Ascaris suum and Oesophostomum dentatum in pigs, treatment of ascarids, big and small strongyles, and oxyurids in horses (including treatment of Anoplocephala with a double dose), and broad-spectrum GI anthelmintic treatment in ruminants. Pyrantel is used to treat most gastrointestinal nematodes in dogs and cats, excluding whipworms. It is used to treat hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms in people [4]. Pinworms can be treated by taking the drug, but other illnesses should be treated by a doctor, and treating children under the age of two should be avoided.
The primary prescription for oxyantel pamoate (Fig. 2.2) is the treatment of whipworms (Trichuris), a condition for which pyrantel is primarily ineffective. Oxantel is effective against whipworms in part because it is poorly absorbed from the GI tract and concentrates more in the large intestine, which is where whipworms live. Its pharmacokinetic characteristics so have a role in some of its effectiveness against whipworms, and the presence of various nicotinic receptor subtypes in whipworms may also play a role.
Oddly, oxantel inhibits fumarate reductase in addition to its other cholinergic effects, which lowers oral bacteria’s capacity to cause chronic periodontitis [5]. It has been suggested for dental use due to its spirochete-inhibiting properties.
Morantel (Rumatel), which is structurally related to pyrantel and is utilized in ruminants as the tartrate salt since 1981, is the 3-methyl thiophene analog of pyrantel. There are four commercially available formulations: sustained release bolus, oral suspension, and cattle wormer bolus. It lacks a human use license. It works well against cow upper GI nematodes such Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia, and Haemonchus species [3].
