Milbemax for cats and dogs: instructions for use

Among the most common diseases of cats, small puppies, and adult dogs, veterinarians usually highlight helminthiasis and nematodosis—diseases caused by infection of the body with one or several parasitic worms at the same time.

Milbemax for cats and dogs kills parasites without harming the pet. This medication is used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. What is this product? How do you administer it to cats and dogs? Let's look at it below.

What is the drug Milbemax?

These are made tablets from the French company Novartis Available in several versions—for puppies and cats, as well as for adult and large dogs. The number of active ingredients in this product is determined by its intended use:

• 35 mg praziquantel and 3.5 mg milbemycin oxime - for young dogs and cats;
• 135 mg praziquantel and 13.5 mg milbemycin oxime - for adults and large animals.

To enhance the effect of the active ingredients, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, povidane, and other substances that accelerate the deworming process are added to the medication. Milbemax for puppies, cats, and adult dogs The tablets are packaged in blisters; after opening, the active ingredient can be used for one month, no longer. The oblong tablets have beveled edges, are film-coated and white, and have a score line on one side, as well as the imprints "AA" and "NA" on the surface.

Doctors do not recommend it use of an anthelmintic drug Upon expiration of the expiration date (printed on the cardboard blister/packaging). Do not administer the medication if it has been stored incorrectly. The packaging should be stored in a dry place protected from ultraviolet light (direct sunlight), away from food and feed, at a temperature of 20–25°C.

Pharmacological and biological action of the drug

The medicinal drug against larvae and worms Milbemax is considered a combined and complex substance, which has a strong anthelmintic (nematodicidal and cestodicidal) effectThe main active ingredient is effective against adult nematodes (including Dirofilaria imitis) and their larvae, which parasitize the gastrointestinal tract of pets. Parasitic worms pose a particular threat to young and small dogs and cats, so veterinarians recommend preventative measures starting from the first month of life.

The mechanism of action of the active component is based on – high permeability of cell membranes to chloride ionsThis leads to polarization of cell membranes in nerve and muscle tissue, resulting in the death of worms and their larvae. The required concentration of active ingredients in the blood of dogs and cats occurs 3–5 hours after tablet administration (biological efficacy of 75%).

The second important element of the drug is praziquantel - affects cestodes and nematodesPraziquantel's mechanism of action is based on increased permeability of parasite cell membranes to calcium ions. This causes muscle contraction, tegument destruction, and membrane depolarization, which facilitates the natural expulsion of dead parasites from the pet's body. The desired concentration of the substance after administration of Milbemax for dogs and cats occurs within 2–4 hours.

Medical the drug is harmless for small puppies (belongs to a moderately hazardous group). When used in recommended doses, this medication does not cause embryotoxic, sensitizing, or teratogenic effects. The drug undergoes complete biological transformation in the liver and is undetectable in the body after just two days (it is completely eliminated in the urine).

Contraindications for the use of Milbemax

This drug has some contraindications for use:

• Liver dysfunction;
• Personal intolerance (high sensitivity) to the active ingredients of the drug;
• Kidney diseases;
• For dogs and cats with a total body weight of up to 500 g;
• Infectious diseases in the body of a pet;
• Exhaustion;
• For puppies up to 2 weeks of age;
• Sheltie, bobtail, and collie breeds of dogs (have increased sensitivity to lactones).

It is not recommended to use Milbemax for adult dogs., whose total weight does not exceed 6 kg. The concentration of active ingredients is designed for large pets. Also, the use of the product should be discussed with the attending veterinarian when treating a nursing or pregnant female dog.

List of indications for the use of milbemax

Treatment measures prescribed by a doctor at the time of detection Cestode and nematode infections, as well as combined nematode-cestodal infestations, are common in domestic animals. These diseases are caused by various groups of helminths: Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Angiostronglus vasorum, Dirofilaria imitis, Toxascaris leonine, Dipylidium caninum, and others. They are detected through laboratory testing of biological samples.

A cat or dog owner can detect the presence of worms in the animal's gastrointestinal tract at home by the following signs:

• simultaneous diarrhea and vomiting;
• sensitive and restless sleep;
• difficulty breathing;
• cough;
• bloating;
• rapid exhaustion (sometimes, on the contrary, a significant increase in appetite);
• profuse salivation and nausea.

If symptoms are detected, you should immediately begin using the drug, but before doing so, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.

You need to buy exactly that one a drug that will fit the modification to the mass Cats or dogs, otherwise there is a high risk of complications or overdose. The price of Milbemax in pharmacies depends on the specific version.

Milbemax for dogs: instructions for use

It is recommended to use the anthelmintic drug in crushed (crushed into powder) form once during a meal. Powder must be mixed with feedIf this method of administration doesn't work, then force-feeding is used: after eating, sprinkle the powder on the base of the pet's tongue while holding the mouth.

The correct single dosage can be determined based on the animal's weight. To prevent side effects and complications, it is recommended to administer the medication according to the following instructions:

• Animal weight 0.5–1 kg – half a tablet;
• 1–5 kg - 1 unit;
• 5–10 kg – 2 units of the drug for puppies, small dogs, 1 unit for adult dogs;
• 10–25 kg - 1 unit of the drug;
• 25–50 kg – 2 units of the drug;
• 50–75 kg – 3 units of the drug.

Preventive measures produced in the summer-autumn and spring-summer periods During treatment of Angiostrongylus vasorum infestation, milbemax is recommended to be administered four times a week.

Possible complications in case of overdose

If the use of the medicinal product was carried out in the recommended dose and as directed by a veterinarianIn this case, the active ingredients do not cause side effects. Based on the condition of dogs and cats after preventive and therapeutic measures, and expert reviews, Milbemax has no complications or side effects. In some cases, mild allergic reactions may occur, which are associated with increased individual or species intolerance to the drug's ingredients.

An analogue of the drug Milbemax

For the prevention and treatment of helminthic infestations, a large The drug Drontal is also popularThe use of Drontal causes damage to the muscle tissue and the helminth's membrane, which ultimately leads to disruption of muscle and nerve innervation, resulting in paralysis and death. The drug can be used on puppies and small cats, as well as large and adult dogs.

In principle, Drontal has the same effect and is just as effective as Milbemax. However, reviews from many pet owners indicate that Milbemax is more effective and efficient than Drontal.

Advantages of Milbemax

The active elements of the tablet allow be confident in your health your pet. Some of the clear advantages include:

• The medicine must be administered once, its pharmacodynamics ensures the complete removal of worms from the body;
• The active ingredients neutralize helminths that are at any stage of the cycle;
• the meaty flavor makes the drug easy for animals to take;
• The tablets can be used to treat young, lactating and pregnant animals.

Today, veterinarians increasingly prescribe the drug milbemax. Positive reviews speak of high quality This medication. All people who have used this remedy to treat their animals report that their pets experienced no side effects, and all parasites were eliminated after a single use.