Dogs can become infected with worms by ingesting the larvae through contaminated soil or by contact with animals that carry the worms. Mebendazole is a type of dewormer that will kill these worms.
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Mebendazole Use
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Mebendazole is a drug given to treat dogs that have roundworms, hookworms or tapeworms. These worms can cause weight loss and digestive upset, and they can cause illness in humans.
How Mebendazole Works
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Mebendazole works by killing the worms and causing them to be passed out of the body.
Dosage
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Mebendazole is given twice a day for three days. The drug can be given either as a pill or a solution. The drug should be mixed with food to reduce vomiting.
Side Effects
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Side effects of mebendazole treatment include vomiting, diarrhea or soft stools. It can also be toxic to the liver, so signs of liver failure will need to be monitored. These signs include lack of energy, reduced eating, vomiting and jaundice.
Resistance
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Some worms have developed a resistance to mebendazole. If a dog being treated with mebendazole does not clear its body of the worms, another drug will need to be used.
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