Although most puppies and kittens have worms, and worms harm and kill pets, worms are overwhelmingly beneficial for us, for pets, and for the world. Of the 80,000 different nematodes that have been identified, only 15,000 are harmful. This is wonderful news because nematodes are the most abundant multicellular organism on earth.
Fenbendazole, a good deworming medicine
For dealing with harmful worms, fenbendazole, a prescription medication, is one of the best dewormers. Fenbendazole is the generic name, and trade names are Panacur and Safe-Guard. Panacur granules are approved for dogs, and Panacur and Safe-Guard, which are available as liquids and pastes, are approved for farm animals, birds, cats, and horses. Although some farmers want to use the farm animal medication for dogs and cats, it’s easy to get the dose wrong and overmedicate a pet. Using the medication specifically for dogs and cats is generally safer.
How Fenbendazole is used
Fenbendazole (Panacur) for dogs comes as fine white granules that are easily mixed in food, and given once a day. The dewormer is given for different lengths of time according to the type of parasite that affecting the pet. For example, for roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and Taenia tapeworms, fenbendazole is given once a day for three days. In two weeks, the three-day series is repeated. For lungworm (Capillaria or Filaroides) and liver flukes (Paragonimus), fenbendazole is given for 10-14 days. There are other rather resistant parasites for which fenbendazole is given for 3-4 weeks.
Effects of deworming with fenbendazole
Although fenbendazole can cause side effects of nausea and vomiting, dogs and cats tend to react more to the dead worms than the medication. When worms die in lungs, liver, intestines and other organs, they leave dead toxic material that must be removed by the immune system. Immune system digestion of these dead worms can cause hypersensitivity reactions.
Support when using deworming medications
To help pets sail through the deworming period with no adverse effects, give dewormers as prescribed and use liver-supporting foods. The liver is the major organ of detoxification, and it has the most work to do when worms die and are removed from the body. To nourish the liver, feed artichoke and chicken or beef liver. Use herbs and vitamins to support the liver, such as milk thistle (silymarin or Silybum) and vitamin E. Help prevent the immune system from over-reacting by providing Omega 3 fatty acids that are in fish.
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