Drontal Plus Tablets for Dogs

How It Works

Drontal Plus is a combination anthelmintic agent that removes whipworms, hookworms, roundworms (ascarids), and tapeworms (cestodes) from dogs. This medication works by paralyzing the worms, disrupting the normal biology of the parasites.

Directions

View Drontal Plus product label.

The presence of parasites should be confirmed by laboratory fecal examination. Weigh the animal before treatment. Administer the proper dosage as specified in the following table as a single oral treatment.

*Not for use in puppies less than 3 weeks of age or dogs weighing less than 2 lbs.

Administration

Drontal Plus Tablets have been developed for oral administration. Tablets may be given directly by mouth or offered in a small amount of food. Fasting is neither necessary nor recommended prior to or after treatment.

Retreatment

For those animals living where reinfections are likely to occur, clients should be instructed in the steps to optimize prevention; otherwise, retreatment may be necessary. This is true in cases of Dipylidium caninum where reinfection is almost certain to occur if fleas are not removed from the animal and its environment. In addition, for control of Echinococcus multilocularis, a program of regular treatment every 21 to 26 days may be indicated (see E. multilocularis section below).

Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm species usually found in wild canids, including foxes, cayotes and wolves. The parasite has also been identified in domestic dogs and cats and is potentially a serious public health concern because it may infect humans. The life cycle of the parasite is based on a predator-prey relationship as depicted.

The adult tapeworm is small (1-4mm) and resides in the intestinal tract of the definitive host (wild or domestic canids). Eggs from the adult tapeworm are shed in the feces. Rodents such as mice and voles serve as the intermediate host. Eggs ingested by rodents developed in the liver, lungs and other organs to form multilocular cysts. The life cycle is completed after a canid consumes a rodent infected with cysts. Larvae within the cysts develop into adult tapeworms in the intestinal tract of the canid. Eggs may be passed in the feces of the canid approximately 28 days later.

This parasite poses a serious public health problem because of the possibility for human involvement in the life cycle. If eggs shed by and infected canid are accidentally infested, a highly pathogenic condition (Alveolar Hydatid Disease) results from development of the cyst stage in humans.

The original geographic distribution of E. multilocularis was primarily confined to northern areas of North America. Current evidence indicates migration of the parasite well into the continental United States.

Domestic dogs living in E. multilocularis endemic areas that roam freely with the opportunity to catch wild rodents are at risk of infection. Pet owners should be advised on how to minimize this risk. Proper restraint of dogs should be encourage, along with regular treatment with Drontal Plus Tablets, following the dosing schedule aforementioned and precautions indicated below.

Additional information on the life cycle and epidemiology of this parasite is available in veterinary parasitology texts.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of E. multilocularis in canids is difficult. The adult tapeworm produces no clinical signs of infection. Tapeworm segments (proglottids) are usually not observed in the feces. E. multilocularis eggs, observed using microscopic fecal examination procedures, are similar in appearance to those of common species such as Taenia pisiformis.

Assistance in the diagnosis of E. multilocularis may be available from a state veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Additional information regarding areas where E. multilocularis is suspected or has been confirmed may be obtained from area veterinary schools or the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA.

Treatment

Dogs infected with E. multilocularis should be treated to prevent exposure of humans to infective eggs and to break the parasite's life cycle.

The dosage of Drontal Plus Tablets for removal of E. multilocularis is the same as that indicated for the removal of the other tapeworm species listed on the label. Laboratory efficacy studies have demonstrated the recommended dosage is 100% effective.

Under condition of continual exposure to wild rodents, retreatment of the dog at 21-26 day intervals is recommended to prevent the shedding of infectious eggs.

Caution

Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use b or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Precautions

Strict hygienic precautions should be taken when handling dogs or feces suspected of harboring E. multilocularis. Infected dogs treated for the first time with Drontal Plus Tablets and dogs treated at intervals greater than 28 days may shed eggs in the feces after treatment. The animal should be held in the clinic during this interval and all feces should be incinerated or autoclaved. If these procedures are not possible, the eggs can be destroyed by soaking the feces in a sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution of 3.75% or greater. All areas where the animal was maintained or in contact with should be throughly cleaned with sodium hypochlorite and allowed to dry completely before reuse.

Efficacy

A total of 176 dogs and puppies with naturally acquired or experimental parasite infections were included in 4 well-controlled laboratory studies to establish the efficacy of Drontal Plus Tablets. In addition, 103 dogs and puppies were included in clinical field studies conducted in 5 veterinary clinics at different geographic locations throughout the United States to further evaluate safety and efficacy. These studies included dogs of various sizes, ages and breeds. Data from these studies demonstrated Drontal Plus Tablets are safe and efficacious for the removal of the parasite species indicated on the label when used as directed.

Results obtained in the laboratory and clinical studies indicate small numbers of hookworm or roundworm eggs may be passed in the feces for up to 7 days after treatment although the worms themselves were eliminated. A follow-up fecal examination should be conducted 2 to 4 weeks after treatment to determine the need for retreatment.

Adverse Reactions

Non of the 103 dogs treated with Drontal Plus Anthelmintic Tablets in the clinical field studies exhibited drug-related side effects.

For customer service or to obtain product information, including Material Safety Data Sheet, call 1-800-633-3796. For medical emergencies or to report adverse reactions, call 1-800-422-9874.

Animal Safety

Controlled safety evaluations have been conducted in dogs with Drontal Plus (praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate/febantel) Broad Spectrum Anthelmintic Tablets. Dogs receiving up to 5 times the label dosage (35 mg praziquantel, 35 mg pyrantel pamoate and 179 mg febantel per kg body weight) for 3 consecutive days (3 times the label duration) Showed clinical signs of vomition and non-formed stools. One dog receiving a 3 times labeled dose had elevated SGPT, SGOT, CPK and GGT readings (outside of normal range) at 6 days post-treatment. No additional findings were noted in hematology/clinical chemistry parameters nor were there any treatment-related histological lesions. Vomiting was the only side effect observed when dogs received a single treatment of 61 mg pyrantel pamoate and 305 mg febantel/kg with one dog having an elevated SGPT reading (outside of normal range) at 24 hours post-treatment which had returned to normal by 7 days.

Warnings

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Drontal Plus Tablets should be stored at controlled room temperatures between 59-86°F 915-30°C).