Fenbendazole for Puppies
Intestinal worms are a common problem in puppies. Many of these worms can be passed onto the puppy from an infected mother. Many worming medications, called anthelmintics, are too harsh to be used on puppies. Fenbendazole is a broad spectrum de-worming medication. It treats a variety of intestinal parasites in puppies. It is a gentle but effective de-wormer that is safe to use on puppies. In fact, you can use fenbendazole on puppies as young as 2 weeks old.
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Features
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Fenbendazole, commonly referred to as Panacur, removes gastrointestinal parasites and worms from the intestines and stomach of puppies by affecting their ability to metabolize energy. It is effective against tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. It also works against parasites called strungyles. Fenbendazole is effective against giardia, which is a protozoan parasite that can lead to digestion problems. You can also use fenbendazole against certain lung parasites.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian will diagnose of intestinal and stomach parasites by fecal examination. These parasites are visible in the stool. Symptoms of parasites in puppies include abdominal pain, inability to gain weight, diarrhea, anemia, lethargy or blood in the stool. In severe cases, an infestation of these parasites can cause intestinal blockages.
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Considerations
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Fenbendazole is attracted to the parasites in the puppies, therefore they do not injure the puppy in anyway. It is metabolized rather quickly and passed out through the stool. Fenbendazole is completely out of the puppies' system within 48 hours, therefore you must give it for several days in order to be effective. The duration and the amount of the dosage will depend on which parasite is being treated.
Benefits
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The use of fenbendazole as a deworming medication in puppies has many benefits. It is a safe, yet effective product. It is less expensive than other anthelmintics and it is available over the counter. Fenbendazole treats numerous types of parasites. Fenbendzole is available in granule, liquid and paste forms. You can also use it as a preventative measure against worms. Many breeders treat their dogs every other month or before breeding to ensure the female does not pass parasites on to her puppies.
Side Effects
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Side effects of fenbendazole use in puppies are rare. Occasionally, it may cause nausea or vomiting after administering this medication. Dead worms may be visible in the puppy's stool. You should not use fenbendazole in puppies with a known allergy to this class of drugs.
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References
- Photo Credit Puppy image by Ludmila Galchenkova from Fotolia.com
