The Side Effects of Panacur in Cats

Panacur is used to treat many different types of parasitic worms in cats, as well as dogs. The side effects are mild and rare, and Panacur is very safe for use in cats. As with any drug, Panacur should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian.

  1. What Is Panacur?

    • Panacur is also known as Fenbendazole and is a member of the anthelmintics class of drugs. Anthelmintics are drugs that kill parasitic worms in animals. Panacur is available over the counter, but should only be given to your cat under the advice of a veterinarian. Another name for Panacur may also be Safe-Guard, and this drug is only used to treat parasites in animals, not humans.

    Uses

    • Panacur is used to treat parasites in the gastrointestinal tract. It is used to treat cats who have roundworm, whipworms, some tapeworms and hookworms. Panacur can also be used to treat parasites of the lungs and bronchial tree, along with aiding in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Disease, according to Vetinfo.com.

      Another use for Panacur is for the treatment of Giardia, which is a one-celled organism that lives in the small intestines.

    Form/Dosage

    • Panacur can come in the form of suspensions, granules and pastes. It is available in 222mg granules, 100mg pastes and 222mg suspensions. Oral suspension is the most frequently used form of the drug.

      The recommended dosage for Panacur is 25mgs per pound of cat daily, for three days. The duration of treatment using Panacur depends on what it is being used to treat, and how the animal responds to the medication. The entire prescription should be used, even after your pet begins to feel better, unless directed differently by a veterinarian. If the entire treatment is not given, the animal could relapse and the same problem can occur again in the future, as stated by Petplace.com.

    Side Effects

    • Vetinfo.com states that Panacur has not been approved by the FDA yet, however it has been shown to be safe for use in cats. Panacur is safe for most animals, however some cats may experience mild side effects while using the drug. The side effects that may occur include infrequent vomiting or diarrhea, but this is rarely reported. The appearance of dead worms my also present itself in the cat's stool.

    Precautions

    • This drug should not be administered to any animal that has a known allergy to Fenbendazole. Panacur is safe to be given to cats that are pregnant, and can stop Giardia from spreading to her kittens.