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Introduction
Most dog owners would go the extra mile to keep their four-legged babies safe and protected from any harm. Despite this, nearly all dogs get infested by worms to a certain degree at one point in their life or another. Being a very common disease, worm infestations often worry dog owners about the impact their pets would face if that infection were not treated properly.
The most popular medication for treating dogs with worms is Pyrantel Pamoate, chemically classified as tetrahydro pyrimidone. Pyrantel is generally given to dogs that have been affected by internal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. But you should always check the side effects and consult with a vet before administering this drug to your dog.
Symptoms of worm infections in dogs
- Sudden weight loss
- Diarrhoea remaining longer than 24 hours
- Loss of appetite
- Very dry coat
- Stools containing worms
Formation and history about Pyrantel Pamoate
Pyrantel Pamoate was first introduced in 1960 and some original brands which sold this medication are Banminth, Exhelm, Strongid, etc. This medication is also used for cattle, horses, and cats. Some combination products also contain Pyrantel which is used for other internal parasite treatments.
Though the original patent of this medication has now expired, some forms of Pyrantel may still be patent-protected. Some brands which nowadays sell Pyrantel for dogs are – Strongid, Nemex, Drontal, etc.
Forms of Pyrantel Pamoate
Pyrantel Pamoate comes in various forms i.e., tablets, capsules, liquid suspension, and paste. Pyrantel Pamoate for dogs also comes in chewable tablets for dogs that love chewy. Give it to your dog in whichever form he is comfortable with. There are also no restrictions regarding providing Pyrantel Pamoate for dogs with or without food.
This medication normally takes a few hours to work on the parasites. However, sometimes effects are not actively visible even after several hours of taking the medication. To evaluate the situation, laboratory tests are often suggested in these cases.
Dosage of Pyrantel Pamoate
Dosage of Pyrantel Pamoate for dogs varies according to the sizes of the dogs and the parasite infested on the dog. Dosages are different if the Pyrantel is used alone or used as combination drugs mixed with other drugs. You should always consult your vet before administering this drug to your pup.
Using Pyrantel Pamoate as a single drug, the generic dosages of Pyrantel Pamoate for dogs are –
- Dogs weighing less than 2.3 kg should be given a dose of5 mg/kg of Pyrantel Pamoate.
- Dogs weighing more than 2.3 kg should be given a dose of 10 mg/kg of this medication.
Using combinations of drugs with Pyrantel, the typical dosages of Pyrantel for dogs are –
- Dogs weighing between 2-25 lbs. should be given a tablet per day.
- Dogs weighing between 26-60 lbs. should be supplemented with two tablets per day.
- Dogs weighing between 61-100 lbs. should be given three tablets per day.
Puppies are usually placed on monthly treatment programmes administered by veterinarians based on their needs.
Although the above-mentioned dosage charts are a generic idea of Pyrantel Pamoate usage in the treatment of worm infestation in dogs, you should never administer this medication without the consultation of a vet as it could be fatal for dogs if anything goes wrong.
Efficacy of Pyrantel Pamoate
According to numerous studies, cases, and popular beliefs, Pyrantel Pamoate for dogs is more than capable to cure roundworm and hookworm infestations effectively. Pyrantel, immediately entering the host dog’s body, paralyzes the intestinal worm while allowing the dog’s immune system to forcefully pass the parasite out of the body through the stool as the parasites cannot attach to the intestinal wall of the host anymore.
Although Pyrantel for dogs is not as effective as for the immature stage of the worms’ lifecycle as it is for the adult phase. For this very reason vets often administer a combination of drugs consisting of Pyrantel and other anthelmintics and ivermectin.
Usage of Pyrantel for dogs
Pyrantel has a unique process to work on the parasite infestations which at times is kind of annoying to dog owners. Pyrantel Pamoate has no residual effect, which means that it will kill all the parasites present in the host’s body at the time of administering but does not stop the body from re-infestation. To control the re-infestation process of the parasites certain other treatments are required.
Pyrantel Pamoate is unfortunately not at all effective when it comes to other worm infections such as whipworms, tapeworms, heartworms, etc.
Risk factors
- Some dogs are allergic to Pyrantel Pamoate because this is a very hard and complex chemical substance that might disturb the digestive system of the dogs.
- Pyrantel Pamoate can be very toxic if given regularly for a long time. If signs of an overdose are shown immediately stop the medication and contact your vet.
- Sometimes after taking the medication, dogs show adverse signs including vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, etc. In some rare instances, diarrhoea can also occur. Urgently take your dog to the vet’s office.
Cautionary warnings
- You should never give this medication to dogs who are lactating or pregnant without the consultation of the vet as it affects their health adversely more often than healthy dogs.
- Dogs with kidney issues and intestinal illnesses are more susceptible to this drug.
- If your dog has any allergies, let your vet know before administering this drug to your dog.
- Let the vet know if your dog is taking any supplements, vitamins, or herbal therapies as Pyrantel Pamoate becomes less effective under these treatments.
- If your dog is taking medications like levamisole, morantel, piperazine, etc., it is advisable to take suggestions from your vet as Pyrantel tends to interact with these drugs.
Storage of Pyrantel Pamoate
The tablet and capsule forms of Pyrantel Pamoate are advisable to store in a firmly sealed container devoid of light at normal room temperature. After opening the seal do not use those tablets for a very long time since after unsealing the container Pyrantel Pamoate might lose the medicinal value soon after.
Liquid suspensions should never be exposed in direct sunlight as light can disrupt their combination of structural elements. Try to keep it in a cool and dry place but refrain from storing it in a refrigerator since they might not sustain the same quality if they are stored in a freezer.
Conclusion
Despite some of the risks and limitations, Pyrantel Pamoate is an extraordinary medication to treat a dog infested with Roundworms and Hookworms. Be sure to give your pet lots of love and praise along with the medication to keep them safe and sound.
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