Fenbendazole

Fenbendazole: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Inhibits the fumarate reductase system of parasites thereby blocking the citric acid cycle and also reduces glucose absorption by the parasite.

Uses of Fenbendazole

• Treatment of ascarids (including larval stages), hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms (Taenia), Giardia species, Oslerus osleri, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Capillaria aerophila, Ollulanus tricuspis, Physaloptera rara and Paragonimus
  kellicotti infections.
• There is 60–70% efficacy against Dipylidium caninum.
• Unlike some other benzimidazoles, fenbendazole is safe to use in pregnant animals.

Dose of Fenbendazole in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• Roundworms, tapeworms: dogs <6 months old: 50 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 3 consecutive days; >6 months old: 100 mg/kg as a single dose p.o.

• Treatment of Capillaria may need to be extended to 10 days. Repeat q3months.
• For pregnant bitches: 25 mg/kg p.o. q24h from day 40 until 2 days post-whelping (approximately 25 days).

• Angiostrongylus vasorum: 50 mg/kg p.o. q24h for a minimum of 10 days, although the duration of treatment has yet to be defined.

• Oslerus osleri: 50 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 7 days, although a repeat course of treatment may be required in some cases.

• Aelurostrongylus abstrusus: 20 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 3 days.

• Giardiasis: 50 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 5 days.

Cats:

• Roundworms, tapeworms: cats <6 months old: 20 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 5 days; >6 months old: 100 mg/kg as a single dose p.o.

• Aelurostrongylus abstrusus: 20 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 5 days.

• Giardiasis: 20 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 5 days.

Side Effects of Fenbendazole in Dogs and Cats

• Bone marrow hypoplasia has been reported in a dog.

Contraindications of Fenbendazole in Dogs and Cats

• No information available