Fenbendazole to Worm Cats

Fenbendazole, also known by its veterinary trade name Panacur, removes parasites from the digestive system of animals. While you can buy the drug over the counter, you should get a veterinarian to guide its administration, because it might cause side effects. If your cat displays symptoms of a worm infestation, you should consult a veterinarian for treatment options.

  1. Function

    • Fenbendazole treats parasite infestation in the stomach and intestines of animals, according to PetPlace.com. It can eliminate roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, certain types of tapeworms, strongyles and stongyloids. The drug can also treat some parasites in the bronchial tree and lungs.

    Symptoms

    • A parasite infestation does not always display symptoms in the early stages, but it might become more severe if left untreated, according to Vet Info. Tapeworms, for example, could break the intestinal wall and show up in the feces. The cat might vomit and lose weight. When veterinarians cannot find the cause of a cat's diarrhea, they often prescribe fenbendazole as a general dewormer to remove any parasites that might be present, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

    Treatment

    • Fenbendazole needs to be administered a few times before it tales effect. PetPlace.com recommends giving the drug to your cat once a day for several consecutive days. Each dose should be 25 mg per pound. Fenbendazole treatment for three to five days usually eliminates parasite problems in cats, but some cases might require more than one course of medication. according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Fenbendazole comes in tablet, granule, liquid, paste and injection forms.

    Considerations

    • PetPlace.com advises you to always consult a veterinarian before administering fenbendazole to your cat. If prescribed by a veterinarian, fenbendazole can usually treat worm problems in cats safely and effectively, but side effects might occur. The cat might vomit after taking the drug, and you might find dead worms in its stool. If your cat is sensitive or allergic to the drug, do not administer fenbendazole to it.

      Finish the entire duration of treatment as recommended by the veterinarian, even if the cat feels better before the end of the treatment plan. While cats can take fenbendazole safely, it has not been approved for feline use by the Food and Drug Administration, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

    Prevention/Solution

    • After it is treated, parasite infestations can occur again if the cat is exposed to the sources. You should find the cause of the parasite infestation and prevent your cat from coming into contact with it. For example, tapeworms could enter a cat's body through fleas, so you should get rid of fleas in your home to prevent re-infestation.