Drontal Plus for Dogs Tabs

The huge recent ad campaign for Bayer's Drontal tablet has many people going gooey at the cute signature schnauzer (yes I'm a sucker) featured on their TV films, but there is a serious side to Drontal.

BAYER
Bayer is a huge multi national company the features predominantly in human healthcare, but also has agricultural and animal healthcare sections.

Their Drontal product is advertised as Britains top wormer.

DRONTAL
Drontal treat several types of worms
Round worms - the typical child like image of spaghetti worms. These exist in an animals gut - they may occasionally pass out in faeces where they can be seen. They can also infect humans.
Tapeworms - these can grow much longer than roundworms. Fleas carry the eggs of tape worms and if a dog has fleas, they may groom excessively eating some fleas - getting the eggs of worms in their guts. That particular idea scares me horribly! It also mean it is vital to worm as well if flea have been noted on a pet!
Hookworms - often carried by foxes
Whip worms.
It does not treat lungworm.

Drontal contains praziquantel, pyrantel embonate and febantel. Which sound ummmm interesting?!

DOSAGE
Drontal dosage is calculated at one tablet per 10kg (keeping it nice and simple for those of us mathematically challenged!) The tablets can be split in half relatively easily although not always quite precise (my dog is 5kg) and slightly less easily in to quarters. If wrapped in cling film the pieces will last until next dose. There are also XL tabs available for dogs over 30kg

It is recommended that puppies are dosed more regularly but after 6-12 months worming is recommended once every three months. The packets it comes in have great little stickers on the back (little purple dogs) to stick in calendars etc - being once every 3 months the date of the last dose is quite easily forgotten!

Wormers do not remain in the system so the tablet works by killing and clearing the system and there is not long term residual effect. This is slightly unnerving as being a scavenger out on walks I tend to be worried my dog may be reinfested! It can lead to some stomach problems for 12-48 hours after.
Some worms may be seen in faeces.

If a dog has worms a wormer can be given more regularly - as advised by a vet. Very regular dosage of wormers may be used for treatment of other conditions.
Classic signs of worms may be lack of energy, poor coat, white grains in faeces and poor appetite although not all these symptoms may occur and there might be another reason for these.

Bayer have recently produced bone shape tablets which are supposed to be more palatable - rather like biscuits. I have to be honest I think this is more to appeal to owners than dogs - my dog will eat anything given a little encouragement and for her this is not necessary. She would eat an entire box of Drontal if allowed! Any reluctant dogs may take them wrapped in ham or cheese or another nice treat!
Surely they may have been better making the cat tablets more palatable - in my experience felines are far more discerning than the average pooch!?

I have never noticed any side effects with the Drontal for my dog it seems to work its way through her system with minimal effect - even on her poo! Occasionally some dogs may have a slight reaction and very rarely make them sick - so it is worth keeping an eye on dogs after their Drontal! I generally try to give hers between meals so if it does cause any issue I can adjust her food accordingly.

Available in shops, on the net or at vets from 1.30 per tablet, not including any postage if required. The internet is cheapest, but generally needs more organisational skills than I have! The tablets are in foil cases (easily ripped open) and usually in an envelope with drontal plus written on.

I generally find it a very easy reliable way to worm my dog and would recommend it.

cLIZS383 also on dooyoo under the same name.