Composition and release form
An important advantage of the drug is that it is available in several pharmacological forms. In addition, the Api-San company, which produces this medication, has developed several options for adult cats and kittens. Thanks to this, pet owners can easily choose the most convenient and safe form of the drug.
Suspension
Contains three active components:
- pyrantel pamoate;
- praziquantel;
- fenbendazole
The light yellow suspension is packaged in polymer bottles with a volume of 5 to 15 ml. The manufacturer indicates that the medicine has a pleasant sweetish taste, so some animals lick it off themselves. Prazicide suspension is also available for kittens. The main difference is the lower concentration of active components.
Pills
If tablets are used, the following components have a detrimental effect on parasites:
- praziquantel;
- pyrantel pamoate.
Externally, they are white or white-gray, small in size and round in shape. The weight of one tablet is 0.2 mg. Packed in blisters of 6 pieces.
Drops for external use
Drops on the withers have a wider spectrum of action. In addition to helminths, they are capable of destroying ticks, fleas and other ectoparasites. The drug is based on several active components:
- ivermectin;
- levamisole;
- praziquantel;
- Thiamethoxam.
The light yellow clear liquid is sold in small polymer pipettes. Depending on whether the Prazicide complex is intended for cats or kittens, the pipettes contain different amounts of the drug. Separation helps to correctly observe the dosage and safely use a drug belonging to the third hazard class.
Pharmacological properties
“Prasicide Plus” is a combined anthelmintic (anthelminthic) drug intended to combat gastrointestinal nematodes and cestodes, such as Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Echinococcus granulosus, Alveococcus multilocularis, which most often affect the gastrointestinal systems of adult cats and kittens It is excreted from the body of cats naturally and belongs to the category of non-hazardous drugs that do not have embryotoxic, sensitizing or teratogenic effects.
How it works and when to use it
Regardless of the form of release, the medication contains components that lead to disruption of the transmission of nerve impulses due to changes at the cellular level. As a result, the parasites suffer from paralysis and then die. The main feature that determines the effectiveness of the drug is that the medicine affects parasites at all stages of development, including eggs and larvae.
Tablets and suspension are used to treat and prevent:
- nematodes;
- cestodiasis;
- mixed invasions.
The drug is effective against all known types of roundworms and tapeworms. Prazicide complex (drops) has a wider spectrum of action, as it destroys not only internal, but also external parasites. It is also used to get rid of fleas, lice, ticks and other ectoparasites, as well as to prevent their occurrence.
The instructions for use indicate that the use of the drug in recommended doses is not dangerous for cats, but before using Prazicide you should consult a doctor.
What to replace it with?
If your pet needs to change the drug, you can purchase Prazicide Plus suspension.
The Russian company Api-San produces various medicines for parasites, so if it is impossible for pets to use the medicine “Dirofen”, veterinarians can prescribe Prazicide Plus instead, also for. It is a suspension that is suitable for both adult and small kittens. The composition of Prazicide includes: pyrantel, febantel, praziquantel and various excipients. Another replacement for Dirofen could be Helmimax, which is based on 1 mg of moxidectin and 20 mg of praziquantel. It acts against nematodes, cestodes and mixed invasions, and is also an excellent prevention of dirofilariasis. In what dosage to use this or that antiparasitic drug for a cat, you should check with your veterinarian.
Instructions for use
Dosages and features of use directly depend on the dosage form. The medicine always comes with instructions, be sure to study it before use.
How to take suspension and tablets?
Both suspension and tablets are intended for internal use. Please note that one tablet is designed for 3 kg of weight. For small pets it is difficult to correctly calculate the dose, so it is wiser to opt for a suspension.
When using it, you will need 1 ml of suspension for every kilogram of weight. You can measure the required amount using a dosing syringe, which comes with the bottle. The medicine can separate, so the bottle needs to be shaken well.
In order for the use of Prazicide for kittens and adults to be effective, you must follow several simple rules:
- The medicine should be given in the morning, preferably before meals.
- There is no need to follow special starvation diets, intestinal lavage or other preparatory measures.
- The drug can be placed on the root of the tongue or mixed with a small amount of food. If you choose the second option, make sure that the animal completely eats the offered treat.
- The medication is taken once. For severe infestations, the procedure can be repeated after 10-14 days, but only as prescribed by a doctor.
If the medicine is used for preventive purposes, the dose should be repeated once a quarter. Deworming should also be carried out a week before vaccination.
Features of using drops
Prazicide complex drops are used for external treatment. The drops should be applied to clean and intact skin between the shoulder blades or on the neck so that the animal cannot lick them off. Stick to recommended doses:
- For kittens weighing less than 1 kg, one 0.3 ml pipette is needed.
- For kittens that weigh more than 1 kg, you should take 2 pipettes of 0.3 ml each.
- For cats weighing up to 5 kg, one 0.85 ml pipette is required.
- For cats whose weight exceeds 5 kg, you should take 2 pipettes of 0.85 ml each.
If the drug is used to eliminate parasites, the procedure is carried out once. When used for preventive purposes, you should adhere to the recommended regimens:
- to prevent helminth infection once every three months;
- for the prevention of ectoparasites monthly during the entire period of their activity.
For demodicosis, notoedrosis and sarcoptic mange, squeeze the medicinal liquid onto a cotton swab and wipe the affected areas of the skin with it. It is important to prevent the drug from entering the animal’s body. To do this, use a collar, neck collar or braid. You can remove the protection after the medicine has completely dried. They must first be cleaned of scabs. In case of severe infection, the procedure is repeated after 10-14 days.
It is important to take precautions when using drops. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling. For two days, do not pick up or pet the animal, isolate it from small children.
Use of the drug
Almost the only contraindication, besides age, is individual intolerance to the components of the medicine. It is also not recommended to give the drug to animals with infectious diseases or with a depleted body after illness. The first stage of a cat's pregnancy is again not the best time to take Prazicide. The components of the medicine can cause developmental defects in kittens, and even termination of pregnancy.
As already mentioned, the kit includes a dispenser syringe, with which the medicine is forcibly administered to the root of the tongue. For those who do not want to create inconvenience for their pet, the product should be mixed into a small portion of the food. It is recommended to use the drug for preventive purposes - no more than once per season and before routine vaccination.
One of the great advantages of Prazicide is that it does not require a preliminary hunger strike before taking it. The use of any laxatives is also not required. Before directly taking the medicine, it is recommended to shake the liquid in the bottle so that the components in it are evenly distributed.
An important issue is overdose. Rarely, in case of an overdose, a decrease in appetite or a complete refusal of food may occur, usually for no more than a day. Possible effects include excessive salivation and mild gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea, which should not last more than a day.
Contraindications and side effects
Prazicide suspension can be given to kittens after the 21st day of life, but treatment with drops is allowed only from 2 months of age. You should stop using the medicine if there are contraindications:
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- intolerance to components;
- recovery period after operations and serious illnesses;
- infectious diseases;
- exhaustion.
If the animal has problems with the liver or kidneys, consultation with a veterinarian is necessary.
You should not combine Prazicide with other antiparasitic drugs, as the risk of poisoning increases.
In rare cases, the medicine causes side effects:
- foaming at the mouth;
- vomiting and nausea;
- stomach upset.
Exceeding recommended doses may be accompanied by unpleasant phenomena:
- weakness and apathy;
- depressed state;
- increased salivation;
- disturbances in the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
- anxiety, etc.
If such symptoms appear, measures should be taken to remove the medication from the body. Be sure to consult a doctor.
Who does it help and when does it harm?
The drug will be effective if the animal has toxocariasis.
It is advisable to use tablets for cats from the manufacturer Api-San when diagnosing helminthic infestations of the following types in a four-legged pet:
- toxocariasis;
- toxascariasis;
- trichocephalosis;
- uncinariasis;
- hookworm;
- cestodosis
The veterinary drug acts on helminths and causes paralysis of their muscle fibers, as a result, energy metabolism is blocked and the parasite dies. Dead “freeloaders” come out along with feces. But not all cats are allowed to use deworming tablets from the Russian company Api-San. Anthelmintic medicine should not be given to cats less than 90 days old, as well as pregnant cats 3 weeks before the expected date of birth and purrs with personal intolerance to any component of the antiparasitic drug. Another contraindication for purrs taking Api-San products is an infectious disease and a recovery period accompanied by asthenic syndrome.
Owner reviews
Raisa, owner of a 10-month-old cat:
“After a summer stay at the dacha, I decided to carry out flea treatment. I bought Prazicide complex. Used according to instructions. After a while, the animal’s pupils dilated, its gait became unsteady, and it completely refused to eat. When our “furball” became really ill, we went to the hospital. We gave several injections. I don't recommend it! Dangerous for pets."
Vadim, owner of Kymrik:
“We use the suspension for preventive deworming. I don’t know how to treat it, but it’s good for prevention. Our cat tolerates the product well, there were no side effects, although he came across a lot of negative reviews online. It probably all depends on the characteristics of the animal.”
Victor, owner of three kittens:
“A real poison. People never buy this medicine. I used it for preventive deworming of kittens. One baby died on the first night. They tried to save two in the hospital, but the treatment was unsuccessful, and the kittens died a few days later. Veterinarians confirmed that the severe poisoning was caused by Prazicide, although I did not exceed the recommended doses.”
