Worming and Flea Treatments
Dogs
Roundworms ( ascarids - Toxocara canis especially, hookworms and whipworms ) can cause poor growth ( ill thrift ), abdominal distension ( pot bellies ), gastrointestinal disease ( vomiting and diarrhoea ), respiratory disease ( coughing ) and even dermatitits in puppies and adult dogs. They are transmitted via faeces ( faeco-oral ), across the womb ( placental ) and via the mother’s milk ( lactation ). They do present a threat to human health. There are 50-100 cases of “retinal larvae migrans” in the UK each year, where roundworm larvae settle in children’s’ eyes and cause visual problems. Roundworm eggs are NOT infective in the dog’s motions until the motions have been dispersed, so it is the general level of soil contamination rather than a specific human - dog relationship which is the danger. In order to minimise soil contamination de-worming ( as well as ‘poop-scooping’ ) should be an integral part of responsible dog ownership.
Tapeworms can cause anal irritation, digestive disturbances and ill thrift. The commonest type ( Dipylidium caninum ) is transmitted via the flea. Other species of tapeworms ( Taenia spp ) , most commonly in rural areas, can cause cystic diseases in man and many domestic species. One aspect of the Pets Travel Scheme (travel abroad) involves reducing the risk of transferring a dangerous zoonotic tape worm ( Echinococcus multilocularis ) from continental Europe via dogs into humans in the UK.
Treatment Recommendations
ADULT DOGS: Up to every month with Drontal Plus® or XL®. Or Advocate Spot-on® if not actively hunting ( kills roundworms but not tapeworms plus provides additional control of fleas, lice, ear mites, etc ). Prescription flea control will prevent reinfestation with the most common tapeworm. Dogs working closely with sheep or horses, allowed access to carcases or being fed uncooked offal or raw meat should always be wormed monthly.
1 tablet Drontal Plus®/10 kg bodyweight
1 tablet Drontal Plus XL®/35kg bodyweight ( more economical in larger dog )
1 Pipette Advocate spot-on® - pipette size dependent on bodyweight ( ‘Small’ <4kg; ‘Medium’ 4kg – 10kg; ‘Large’ >10kg – 25kg; ‘Extra Large’ >25kg – 40kg )
PUPPIES: Treat every 2 weeks from 2 weeks to 12 weeks old; then monthly to 6m old & every 3months thereafter ( adult dog regimen ) with Drontal Plus tablets.
0.5-2kg bodyweight Drontal Plus® = 0.25 tablet
2-5kg bodyweight Drontal Plus® = 0.5 tablet
6-10kg bodyweight Drontal Plus® = 1 tablet
PREGNANT BITCHES: It is possible to reduce transfer of worm larvae to the puppies by treating the dam 2 weeks before due date ( therefore approximately 49th day ) & 2 weeks after whelping with Drontal Plus®. A more expensive alternative would be Panacur® granules/liquid/paste may be prescribed and administered daily from day 40 of pregnancy to 2 days post whelping ( total of 25 days ).
Alternative treatments for puppies and adult dogs: Drontal puppy suspension® ( dogs < 1 year, some roundworms only ), Panacur ‘favourites’/granules/liquid/paste® ( roundworms and less common tapeworms ), Milbemax tablets® ( roundworms including heartworm, tapeworms; unlicensed for pregnant bitches ); Stronghold spot-on® ( some roundworms only, licensed in pregnant bitches ).
Dog flea treatment
We have several different flea treaments available
Spot ons- Advantage, Frontline, Advocate, Stronghold, Advantix
Oral - Program, Capstar
Cats
Roundworms ( Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina ) can cause poor growth, diarrhoea, poor coats and pot bellies in young kittens. They are transmitted via faeces, mother’s milk and by eating small mammals, birds and earthworms. Cat roundworms are unlikely to cause any human health problems.
Tapeworms cause few problems except occasional anal irritation and abdominal discomfort. The commonest type is transmitted via the flea ( Dipylidium caninum ), although other types are caught by eating small rodents
( Taenia taeniaeformis ).
Treatment Recommendations
ADULT CATS: Easily applied Profender Spot-on® or oral administration or Drontal Cat/Cat XL® tablets every month. A nurse’s appointment may be booked for free administration of Drontal ( or Drontal Cat XL ) tablet purchased at Cliffe Veterinary Group, in those individuals that are very awkward to tablet.
Or Advocate Spot-on® if not actively hunting (providing additional control on fleas, lice, ear mites, etc but not tapeworm ).
1 pipette Profender Spot-on® - pipette size dependent on bodyweight (‘Small’ >0.5kg - 2.5kg; ‘Medium’ >2.5kg - 5kg; ‘Large’ >5kg – 8kg )
1 pipette Advocate Spot-on® - pipette size dependent on bodyweight (‘Small’ <4kg; ‘Large’ >4kg – 8kg )
Drontal Cat® tablets = 0.5 tablet ( <2kg ), 1 tablet (2kg – 4kg )
Drontal Cat® XL tablets = 1 tablet ( 4kg – 6kg )
KITTENS: Treat at 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age with Drontal cat, then monthly thereafter ( adult cat regimen ) with Profender Spot-on® ( > 8 weeks old & > 0.5kg BWt ), Drontal Cat® tablets or Advocate Spot-on® ( from 9 weeks old ).
PREGNANT QUEENS: Panacur granules/liquid/paste (roundworms & less common tapeworms) can be administered once during pregnancy although there is no pre-natal transfer of worm larvae in the queen. Drontal spot-on® (common tapeworm) may also be used if necessary during pregnancy.
Alternatives: Panacur ‘favourites’/granules/liquid/paste® (roundworms and less common tapeworms), Milbemax tablets® ( roundworms including heartworms, tapeworms; unlicensed for pregnant queens); Stronghold spot-on® (some roundworms only, licensed for pregnant queens).
Cats that are difficult to medicate orally Suggested options for these cats:
- Profender Spot-on® monthly. This is the only currently available broad spectrum, effective, spot-on dewormer in the world
- Free monthly administration of Drontal cat® or Drontal cat XL®, purchased at Cliffe Veterinary Group, by a qualified veterinary nurse during nurses clinic.
Cat Flea Treatment
Spot ons- Advantage, Frontline Advocate Stronghold
Injections: Program
Oral – program, capstar.
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