Dirofen for cats

Dirofen is an anthelmintic drug used to prevent and treat helminthic infestations in cats. The medication was developed by Api-San, a Russian company specializing in veterinary medications.

Dosage form and composition

Dirofen is produced in three dosage forms:

• pills;
• suspension;
• paste.

The oral suspension and paste have virtually identical compositions. The active ingredients are praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. Dirofen 20 suspension and paste are available for adult cats and kittens. The main differences between them are the excipients and appearance. The suspension is a light yellow viscous liquid packaged in 6 or 7 ml polymer bottles. The paste has a pasty consistency and is packaged in polymer syringe dispensers, making it very convenient to use. Different packaging sizes are available: 6 and 7 ml.

The tablets' active ingredients include febantel. They also contain the following excipients:

• talc;
• microcrystalline cellulose;
• calcium stearate;
• lactose;
• colloidal silicon dioxide.

The round, light-yellow tablets have two dividing lines at right angles to each other. This allows the tablet to be divided into four equal parts. This allows for precise dosing of the required amount of anthelmintic, even for small pets. The tablets are packaged in 6-piece sets and are available in two types:

• 120 mg is intended for kittens;
• 200 mg each are designed for adult cats.

The main difference between them is the concentration of active substances.

Please note! This medication is available in several formulations for cats and dogs. When purchasing, select Dirofen intended for cats or kittens and carefully read the instructions to avoid overdose.

Operating principle

Dirofen is a complex anthelmintic medication. It is effective against various types of roundworms and tapeworms. Its broad spectrum of action is due to its combined composition:

• Praziquantel Increases the permeability of cell membranes, leading to muscle contraction and the death of parasites. The active ingredient not only kills worms but also promotes their natural elimination from the body. This eliminates the need for cleansing enemas or laxatives. It reaches its maximum blood concentration in just 1-3 hours, and is eliminated from the body within 24 hours.
• Pyrantel pamoate It is virtually not absorbed into the bloodstream. It effectively kills intestinal worms. It works by blocking nerve impulse transmission, leading to paralysis and death of the parasites. It is excreted from the body, mostly unchanged, in the feces.
• Febantel It differs in its mode of action but is equally effective. The substance disrupts the parasites' energy processes, specifically enzyme production and the absorption of glucose—the energy source for any living organism. It is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and metabolized in the liver, after which it enters the intestines via bile.

The suspension and paste contain pumpkin seed oil, which has anthelmintic actionIn addition, this natural component improves bowel movements and promotes the restoration of intestinal mucosa damaged by helminths.

When taken at the recommended dose, the anthelmintic drug does not cause embryotoxic or teratogenic effects, meaning it has no negative impact on the development of offspring. The drug's components do not accumulate in the body and are not addictive, even with frequent use.

Price

So, how much does the medication cost? When purchasing Dirofen for cats, please note that the price depends on the dosage form:

• tablets of 120 mg, 6 pcs. – about 125 rubles;
• tablets of 200 mg, 6 pcs. – about 140 rubles;
• paste for kittens and cats, 6 or 7 ml – about 165 rubles;
• suspension for kittens or cats, 6 or 7 ml – about 180 rubles.

You can buy the medicine at any veterinary pharmacy or pet store, or order it online.

Indications for use

According to the instructions for use, Dirofen tablets, like other dosage forms of the medication, are prescribed to cats for the treatment of the following pathologies:

• cestodiasis;
• nematodoses;
• mixed helminthic infestations.

The medication can also be used to prevent internal parasite infestations. To prevent the appearance of worms deworming Deworming should be performed quarterly. Deworming is necessary not only for cats that spend a lot of time outdoors (for example, if they live in a private house), but also for pets that never leave the apartment. Parasite eggs or larvae can enter a pet's body through shoes, raw meat, household items, and other means.

Deworming should also be performed before each vaccination, as worms significantly weaken the immune system. They produce waste products that are toxic to the pet's body. This can lead to complications after vaccination.

Instructions for use

For preventative purposes, it's best to administer an anthelmintic medication every 3 months and 10 days before each vaccination. For helminth infestations, the medication is administered once, and for severe infestations, the procedure is repeated after 10 days. The dosage is calculated based on the animal's weight and the dosage form:

1. One 120 mg tablet is suitable for 1 kg of animal weight, and 200 mg tablets are suitable for 5 kg of animal weight. Smaller tablets are typically used for kittens and small animals.
2. 1 ml of Dirofen 20 suspension is calculated per 1 kg of weight.
3. If you use Dirofen 20 paste for cats, then for every 1 kg of weight you will need 1 ml of medicine.

Give anthelmintic agent The medication should be given during the morning feeding. The medication can be administered forcefully (by placing the tablet on the back of the tongue, squeezing the suspension or paste from a syringe into the mouth) or mixed with a small amount of food (canned food, ground meat, etc.). The tablet can be hidden in a piece of sausage or meat, depending on your pet's preference.

Please note! Do not fast your pet before using this medication or give your pet laxatives.

It is advisable not to violate the regimen and method of using the anthelmintic drug, especially for prophylaxis, since this reduces its effectiveness and increases the risk of infection with parasites.

Contraindications and side effects

Dirofen tablets, paste and suspension are not used for cats in the following cases:

• in case of intolerance to the components;
• in case of exhaustion;
• in infectious diseases;
• during the rehabilitation period after surgery or serious illness.

Do not give anthelmintic medication to kittens under 3 weeks of age. If your pet has chronic liver or kidney disease, consult a veterinarian.

The drug is not used in pregnant cats during the first half of pregnancy. Use of the medication is only permitted under veterinary supervision. Deworming is permitted three weeks before the expected birth and two to three weeks after the kittens are born.

When using the medication, especially for the first time, increased salivation may occur. In rare cases, vomiting or loose stools may occur. Symptoms usually resolve on their own and do not require special treatment. If an allergy occurs, the animal is given an antiallergic medication.

Dirofen is considered a safe antihelminthic drug, but overdose can cause side effects:

• nausea and vomiting;
• indigestion;
• lack of appetite;
• depressed state;
• apathy, etc.

Owner reviews

Marina, owner of a 6-year-old cat:

"We deworm our beauty regularly, but the process is excruciating. Getting the medicine down her throat is a real ordeal. We once tried giving her Dirofen paste. Dosing the medication is easy, but feeding it to her is difficult. We couldn't force it (she spat it all out). We tried mixing it with her food, but she flatly refused. It's hard to judge its effectiveness, but I won't buy it again."

Andrey, owner of a 3-month-old kitten:

"We used a deworming suspension for our kitten. He ate it with his food without any problems. Afterward, we treated severe diarrhea for over a week. The next time, we had to find a different medication, even though the vet had good things to say about Dirofen."

Veterinarian Reviews

Ulyana, a veterinarian with 6 years of experience:

"Dirofen is a pretty good domestic antiparasitic medication. It does have side effects, of course, but compared to other similar medications, it's relatively safe. I like it because it comes in several different versions, making it easy to choose the right one for your pet's needs and age. It's also easy to find in pharmacies, even in small towns."

Mikhail, a veterinarian with 12 years of experience:

"I usually recommend pet owners use imported anthelmintics (Melbimax, Caniquantel, Cestal, etc.). Experience shows that they are safer and better tolerated by animals. I don't use medications from domestic manufacturers in my practice, although I've heard positive reviews about Dirofen from clients."

Read also:

• Gelmimax for cats
• Prazitel suspension for cats and kittens
• Milbemax for cats