Dog worming tablets may come under various names and formulas and may be effective for 1 or several types of canine parasites. Drontal is a wormer that will eliminate all types of worms, including tapeworms. Typically, Drontal is well tolerated by dogs, but side effects are not uncommon.
Drontal for Pets
Drontal may be administered to cats and dogs and is a multi purpose wormer. Many multi purpose wormers will not offer protection and kill tapeworms. However, Drontal will be effective against tapeworms as well.
Drontal also kills and protects against the following parasites:
- Hookworms
- Roundworms
Drontal contains an active ingredient known as Praziquantel, which will kill larvae, eggs and mature parasites.
Puppies will need deworming more often than mature dogs, as puppies are more prone to having intestinal worms.
Types of Drontal
Drontal can be available for felines and canines. You should get Drontal that is formulated especially for dogs, as the feline version will not be effective in your dog and may also lead to unwanted side effects.
The drug should be administered with food and the chewable tablets are preferred. Injections are also available, but are less commonly prescribed to dogs.
Symptoms of Intestinal Worms
Puppies are more likely to have intestinal worms, which are typically tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms. The worms may be transmitted from the mother or ingested (if the dog eats infested feces) or from fleas, if the puppy swallows a flea that carries tapeworm larvae.
The dog will have the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or more liquid feces
- Blood in the feces
- Parasites in the feces, which may be dead or alive
- Segments of worms in the mouth or anus area (only in the case of tapeworms)
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Poor skin and hair condition, as the worms deprive the dog from certain essential nutrients
In weak puppies, some worms can cause death, due to the severe dehydration. If you notice some of these symptoms in your pet, you need to get a clear diagnosis from a vet, to determine if Drontal is the best course of treatment. The dog may not present any symptoms and still be infected with intestinal worms, so get regular veterinarian checkups to keep your pet healthy.
A stool sample will be needed for analysis, so try to collect one, but make sure you protect your hands with gloves.
Drontal Side Effects
Drontal may have some side effects such as:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhea
These symptoms may not occur and if they are present, they should subside within a few days after starting the Drontal treatment.
Drontal cannot be administered to puppies that are less than 6 weeks old.
Prevent Intestinal Worms
Intestinal worms can be prevented by administering the vaccines in time and training the dog’s immune system. You should also keep your dog away from feces of other animals and make sure to prevent fleas using various deterrents.