Drontal for Dogs and Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Veterinarians prescribe Drontal® to treat:

• Roundworms (Toxocara, Toxascaris)
• Hookworms (Ancylostoma, Uncinaria)
• Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia species)
• Whipworms (dogs only, depending on formulation)

Drontal® is commonly used

• As part of routine deworming schedules
• In newly adopted pets
• In puppies and kittens
• When worms are detected on faecal examination
• After flea infestations (for tapeworm control)

Drontal® does not:

• Prevent future reinfection without repeated dosing
• Replace flea control (essential for tapeworm prevention)
• Treat protozoal infections such as Giardia or coccidia

In simple terms:

• The medication paralyses and damages worms
• Worms lose their ability to stay attached to the intestinal wall
• The dog’s digestive system then passes the worms out naturally

In cats:

• The medication disrupts the worms’ nervous system and outer structure
• Worms detach from the intestinal lining
• They are digested or passed in stool

Drontal® for dogs must be given exactly as prescribed by a veterinarian general principles:

• Dose is strictly based on body weight
• Tablets are usually given as a single dose
• Tablets can be given with or without food (unless otherwise directed)
• Accurate weighing is essential before dosing

Drontal® (praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate) may be repeated at intervals recommended by your veterinarian, depending on:

• Age
• Lifestyle (indoor vs outdoor)
• Exposure risk
• Presence of fleas
• Faecal test results

• Puppies are at high risk of roundworms and hookworms.
• Drontal® should not be used in puppies younger than 3 weeks of age or in dogs weighing less than 2 pounds.
• Your veterinarian will determine the appropriate timing and dosing based on the puppy’s age, size, and parasite risk.

Small dogs are more prone to dosing errors key points:

• Weigh the dog accurately before each dose
• Use the correct tablet strength
• Never estimate doses based on size alone

Important points:

• Use only feline-specific formulations
• Dose strictly according to body weight
• Tablets may be given directly or hidden in food if approved by your veterinarian

Drontal® is often used:

• As a routine dewormer
• After flea infestations
• When worms are detected on stool tests

Drontal® should not be used in kittens younger than one month of age or weighing less than 1.5 pounds. Veterinary recommendations usually include:

• Early and repeated deworming
• Careful monitoring of weight

Most dogs and cats tolerate Drontal® very well. Side effects, when they occur, are usually mild and temporary.

Possible side effects include:

• Mild vomiting
• Soft stools or diarrhoea
• Temporary loss of appetite
• Lethargy

Cats may experience:

• Vomiting
• Mild diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy

Overdose is uncommon but may result in signs of toxicity:

• Severe gastrointestinal upset
• Excessive drooling
• Weakness
• Tremors (rare)

Cats exposed to excessive doses may show:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Poor coordination
• Salivation

Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences these signs of emergency:

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
• Severe lethargy
• Neurological signs
• No improvement despite treatment
• Uncertainty about dosing or repeat treatments