Gelmimax for dogs

Gelmimax is a broad-spectrum medication used in dogs to combat various types of helminths. According to its manufacturer, the Russian company Api-San, this effective and innovative medication can protect animals from roundworms and tapeworms.

General description

The dosage form of the anthelmintic is pillsTo ensure owners of different dogs can use the product effectively and safely across breeds and weights, the manufacturer offers several variations:

• Gelmimax-4 is designed for puppies, as well as representatives of small breeds;
• Gelmimax-10 is suitable for medium-sized dogs;
• Helmimax-20 is designed for large pets.

The only difference is the concentration of active ingredients. Each variant is tailored to the specific needs of animals of a specific weight category. This allows for a combination of effective therapeutic effect and safety.

The white, round tablets have two grooves. These grooves are positioned perpendicularly and allow the tablet to be divided into four equal parts, making dosing easy even for the smallest pets. The company logo is printed on the back, providing protection against counterfeiting.

The medication can be stored at room temperature, but not above 25˚C. Keep it away from direct sunlight.

Price

In online pharmacies, the price of a 2-tablet pack of Gelmimax for dogs varies within the following ranges:

• for puppies and small breeds – 290-320 rubles;
• for medium breeds – 380-420 rubles;
• for large breeds – 410-450 rubles.

The price of this medication may be slightly higher at regular veterinary pharmacies. A doctor's prescription is not required.

Composition and action

Gelmimax kills 13 types of helminths that infest the digestive system, heart, liver, spleen, and muscle tissue. Its broad spectrum of action and effectiveness are due to its two active ingredients:

• Praziquantel. Increased permeability of cell membranes causes muscle contractions, which disrupts the parasites' motor function and leads to their death. The substance is effective against tapeworms at any stage of development. Praziquantel enters the bloodstream through the intestines and is distributed throughout the body. Its concentration reaches its maximum level within just a couple of hours.
• Moxidectin. It has a completely different mechanism of action. It acts on the glutamate-chloride channels, which disrupts the parasite's entire nervous system. Paralysis occurs due to the disruption of nerve impulse transmission. Like praziquantel, moxidectin is rapidly absorbed and spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream.

This anthelmintic is considered safe for animals, as long as the recommended doses are not exceeded. Gelmimax is non-toxic, but if your pet has internal diseases, it's best to consult a veterinarian before using it.

The medication also contains various auxiliary components. Among them is a chicken flavoring agent, which gives the tablets a pleasant aroma. The manufacturer aimed to make the medication appealing to dogs, but in practice, some pets flatly refuse to chew the tablets voluntarily.

When and how to apply

According to the instructions, Gelmimax should be given to dogs infected with roundworms or tapeworms. Due to its broad spectrum of action, the drug can also be used to treat mixed helminthic infestations. The medication is successfully used to eliminate parasites regardless of the severity of the infestation.

The medication is also well suited for routine deworming. For reliable protection of your pet against internal parasites, deworming should be performed quarterly. The medication can be used for deworming, which is mandatory before vaccination or mating.

Please note! This drug is also used to prevent dirofilariasis.

The medication should be administered in the morning, before feeding. If the dog refuses to swallow the tablets voluntarily, they can be crushed and mixed with food or forced into the dog's mouth. To prevent the dog from spitting the medication out, place it on the back of the tongue. Then, stroke the dog's neck to stimulate the swallowing reflex, keeping the dog's head elevated.

When calculating the dosage, consider the concentration of the active ingredients and the animal's weight. If you are using an anthelmintic for puppies and small breeds (Gelmimax-4), the dosage is calculated as follows:

• 0.5-1 kg – a quarter of a tablet;
• 1-2 kg – half a tablet;
• 2-4 kg – 1 pc.;
• 4-6 kg – 1.5 pcs.;
• 6-8 kg – 2 pcs.

When using Gelmimax-10, it is necessary to adhere to the following dosages:

• 5-10 kg – 1 pc.;
• 10-15 kg – 1.5 pcs.;
• 15-20 kg – 2 pcs.

If Gelmimax-20, designed for large pets, is used, the following should be taken into account when calculating the number of tablets:

• 10-20 kg – 1 pc.;
• 20-30 kg – 1.5 pcs.;
• 30-40 kg – 2 pcs.;
• 40-50 kg – 2.5 pcs.;
• 50-60 kg – 3 pcs.;
• 60-70 kg – 3.5 pcs.;
• 70-80 kg – 4 pcs.

Usually one dose is enough to destroy worms or prevent their occurrence. In case of severe infestation, it is recommended to repeat the treatment after 2 weeks.

Please note! There is no need to follow a special diet or restrict your pet's diet. Diet does not affect the absorption of the active ingredients or their distribution throughout the body.

After administering the medication, your dog does not need a bowel lavage or laxatives. The medication's components kill the parasites and promote their natural elimination. Additional measures may be necessary only in cases of severe infestation. The breakdown products of the worms can be toxic to your pet's body, potentially leading to intoxication. In this case, it's best to consult a veterinarian.

Contraindications and side effects

You should stop using the medicine in the following situations:

• if intolerance to the components has been previously noted;
• in severe kidney diseases;
• in case of serious liver dysfunction;
• if the animal’s weight has not reached 0.5 kg;
• until reaching 3 weeks of age.

It is not recommended to use anthelmintics on weakened animals, pets with infectious diseases, or those suffering from malnutrition. In these cases, the drug's toxicity increases significantly, which can lead to side effects. In such situations, it is necessary to first improve the dog's health, conduct comprehensive treatment, and then proceed with deworming.

Please note! The instructions state that Gelmimax can be used by pregnant and lactating dogs under the supervision of a doctor. Do not administer the medication 2 weeks before or 14 days after giving birth.

When the recommended dosage is followed, the medication is well tolerated by dogs. The exceptions are bobtails, sheilies, and collies, which often exhibit hypersensitivity to Gelmimax's components.

In case of overdose, the following symptoms may be observed:

• vomiting, diarrhea and other digestive system disorders;
• apathy and depression;
• poor appetite or complete refusal to eat;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• increased salivation.

To speed up the elimination of toxic substances from the body and reduce their negative effects, dogs are given enterosorbents (activated charcoal, Enterosgel, etc.). Symptomatic therapy may also be used to improve the pet's well-being and eliminate the unpleasant signs of overdose.

Owner reviews

Ksenia, the owner of a mongrel puppy:

"It just so happened that instead of a purebred puppy, I was sold a common mongrel, but I still fell in love with her. The vet recommended deworming her. We used Helmimax as recommended. Busya ate half a tablet mixed with chicken breast without any problems. After 3-4 hours, worms started coming out. Huge worms. It took four days for the worms to come out. The dog felt unwell, but ate with gusto. We repeated the procedure two weeks later. There were almost no worms left, so the medication was working perfectly."

Lyudmila, owner of a toy terrier:

"I used Helmimax-4 for the first time to treat a dog's worm infestation. Karina swallowed the pill right out of my hand, so I didn't have to resort to any tricks. The test results showed that we were able to get rid of the parasites. We now use it periodically for prevention."

Veterinarian Reviews

Mikhail, a veterinarian with 12 years of experience:

"Gelmimax is a good domestic drug. Its main advantage is that it provides protection against the most dangerous heartworms. It's available in several different versions, so finding the right dosage is easy. It's not the cheapest, but effectiveness always comes at a price."

Victoria, a veterinarian with 5 years of experience:

"I'll say right away that I don't have much experience using the new drug from a domestic manufacturer. I can only judge from my own experience. It's a good anthelmintic. It effectively kills worms. It's suitable for preventative purposes. However, you need to calculate the Gelmimax dosage carefully, as it contains highly toxic components."

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