Azinox for cats
Azinox is an antiparasitic veterinary drug used to treat and prevent tapeworm infections in cats. The medication rarely causes side effects, as its formula is tailored to the specific needs of small pets. Furthermore, this anthelmintic effectively kills worms at all stages of development.
Content
General description
Azinox is produced by the Russian company Agrovetzashchita in tablet form. The small, round, white tablets are packaged in blisters of six. One side is beveled to allow for dividing the tablet into halves, and the other side bears the company logo. This praziquantel-based medication is considered a universal option, as it is suitable for both cats and dogs.
The company also produces Azinox Plus, a combination anthelmintic drug. Its main distinguishing feature is its inclusion of praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. These are small, round, white tablets.
Please note! According to the instructions, Azinox Plus is intended for dogs and should not be used in cats. If necessary, it is best to choose another medication with a similar spectrum of action.
In addition to the active ingredient, the anthelmintic contains lactose, potato starch, and other auxiliary ingredients. The medication should be stored at a temperature no higher than 25 degrees Celsius, but no special storage conditions are required. A shelf in a cabinet or other place away from direct sunlight, away from food and feed, is suitable.
Operating principle
Praziquantel has a broad spectrum of antiparasitic activity. It is effective against many species of tapeworms that can infest the intestines, liver, lungs, and other organs of pets. The active ingredient affects metabolic processes and the nervous system. As a result of this action, in a short period of time worms paralysis occurs, which inevitably leads to their death.
An important property of praziquantel is that it promotes the natural elimination of parasites from the body. This reduces the risk of intoxication from helminth infestations. When worms die, they begin to secrete toxins that can poison the animal's body. Using Azinox avoids this problem, eliminating the need for cleansing enemas or laxatives.
This anthelmintic is highly effective and acts quickly. The active ingredient reaches its maximum concentration in just an hour, sometimes even less, as it quickly enters the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. The medication is eliminated from the pet's body within 24 hours.
Because the active ingredient content in the medication is carefully calculated, it is considered safe. When used correctly, it does not cause mutations or have a toxic effect on the body. It does not accumulate in the body and is not addictive, making it effective for long-term preventative use.
Price
It is sold in regular veterinary pharmacies or online pet pharmacies. A 6-tablet pack of Azinox costs 80-90 rubles, depending on the region.
When is it applied?
The drug is used to treat the following helminthic infestations in cats:
- dipylidiosis;
- taeniasis;
- echinococcosis;
- mesocystidosis;
- diphyllobothriasis.
In the above-mentioned diseases, tapeworms typically affect the small intestine and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Parasites can also infest the liver, lungs, and other organs. It's important to promptly recognize signs of helminth infestation (loss of appetite, vomiting, or upset stomach) and take action, as parasites not only impair your pet's quality of life but can also be fatal.
Please note! Azinox is used for treatment only after testing and confirmation of results. The drug does not affect roundworms.
The medicine affects not only adult helminths, but also larvae, and is therefore successfully used to prevent tapeworm infection.
How to apply
According to the instructions, Azinox is given to cats during the morning feeding. The tablets can be hidden in a treat (such as a piece of meat). To make it easier to disguise the medication, the tablet is first crushed and then mixed with the food.canned goods, pate, porridge). If the animal refuses food containing the medication or spits it out, the tablet should be placed on the back of the tongue.
The medication dosage is calculated using a simple principle: 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. If the cat weighs less than 5 kg, calculating the exact dosage becomes difficult, so follow these simple steps:
- Crush the tablet into powder.
- Prepare a suspension. To do this, thoroughly stir the resulting powder in 10 ml of water.
- Next, the prepared solution is used for treatment or prevention, and the dose is calculated according to the following scheme: 1 ml of suspension per 1 kg of weight.
The suspension is forcibly administered from a syringe, from which the needle is first removed. There is no need to fast or cleanse the intestines with laxativesThe medication is well absorbed into the bloodstream and effectively targets tapeworms regardless of their location.
If Azinox tablets are used to treat helminthic infestations in cats, they are given as a single dose. If the medication is used for prevention, it should be administered quarterly. Try to adhere to the dosage schedule. Deworming less than quarterly will reduce the effectiveness of the anthelmintic. The medication will not provide reliable protection for your pet.
Contraindications and possible side effects
Azinox is well tolerated by animals of all breeds, provided the recommended dosage is strictly followed. It has no contraindications. The only exception is intolerance to the components, particularly praziquantel.
Please note! Do not use anthelmintic medication on kittens under 3 weeks of age.
The medication does not cause side effects. If the animal is intolerant to any of the components, there is a high risk of developing an allergic reaction. This can manifest itself in various symptoms:
- nausea and vomiting;
- severe stomach upset;
- refusal to eat, etc.
If such symptoms are detected, an antiallergic medication should be prescribed. If the allergy is severe, symptomatic therapy should be used. To prevent future helminth infestations, the doctor should prescribe a different medication that does not contain praziquantel.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of using Azinox for cats include the following:
- virtually no contraindications;
- high efficiency;
- fast acting;
- safety;
- broad spectrum of action;
- possibility of use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes;
- The availability of the medication can also be considered an advantage.
One drawback is that the drug is not effective against roundworms. If used prophylactically, additional measures to combat nematodes may be necessary. It has no other significant drawbacks.
Owner reviews
Svetlana, owner of three cats:
"I like Azinox because it's suitable for both cats (we have three) and dogs (we have a Pekingese). We've been using it for over two years as a preventative measure. We've had it tested a couple of times, so I can attest to its effectiveness. We've had no problems administering it. For the cats, we mix half a tablet, crushed, in sour cream, and for the dog, we hide it in meat. We've never had any allergic reactions or other side effects."
Anna, the owner of a Maine Coon:
"I don't recommend using Azinox as a preventative measure. It's a terrible product. Afterward, my cat started vomiting and had severe diarrhea, which we couldn't treat for over a week. During this time, he lost a significant amount of weight."
Veterinarian Reviews
Galina, a veterinarian with 14 years of experience:
"Azinox is not suitable for prevention, as it doesn't work against roundworms. However, it can be used for treatment if the parasite species is accurately identified. Cat owners often complain of side effects (vomiting, diarrhea). Personally, I prefer imported medications, which are well tolerated by animals."
Vadim, a veterinarian with 6 years of experience:
"I usually recommend that cat owners use foreign antiparasitic medications—Cestal, Milbemax, Caniquantel, and others. As for Azinox, it's a good product. It effectively kills tapeworms, but, based on personal observations, it often causes side effects, despite the manufacturer's claims of safety. The main advantage is the low price compared to imported medications. For example, two Milbemax tablets cost between 350 and 500 rubles, while six tablets of the domestic product cost less than a hundred."
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