Drontal feline for tapeworm?

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rabbit_friend

rabbit_friend

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I have searched the archives and found several references to bunnies getting shots of Droncit (praziquantel) for tapeworm treatment. My vet doesn't have these and has given me Drontal Feline tablets instead, which have an extra ingredient (pyrantel pamoate) for other types of worms as well.

Has anyone used this before or can give some feedback about side-effects? I have read that in other animals that have both tapeworm and other worms, the die-off from the parasites can cause blood loss, intestinal blockage or other problems. He is already mildly anemic and with recurrent stasis, so this worries me.
 
According to Medirabbit, it's ok. Of course no website has the training, resources, and know-how of your vet. If your vet is unsure about this medication, perhaps there is a vet they know that may work more with bunnies who may be able to assist. However if the vet is sure about the drug being ok, and you're just doing a double-check before you administer it, then I'd go ahead and use it.
http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Anti_parasitics/safe_antiworms.htm
 
Thanks for replying :) My vet is experienced with rabbits and certain that the two ingredients are safe for rabbits -- individually. Medirabbit does not say that Drontal is safe for rabbits -- it only says that the individual drugs in it are safe for rabbits at the doses specified for each, which is 5-10 mg/kg. My concern is with combining them in this particular drug, which my vet has never used in a rabbit. Which is why I was hoping someone here had experience with it.

My specific concerns are:
1. Every reference to the pyrantel pamoate says not to give it to sick or debilitated animals (mine has been in stasis, has lost weight, and is mildly anemic). The praziquantel (ingredient in Droncit, which is what my vet didn't have on hand) has no such warnings.

2. The dose for the praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate are both 5-10 mg/kg according to my vet's formulary and Medirabbit (and this is the same dose as for cats, I looked it up). However, Drontal Feline says the following: "Each tablet contains 18.2 mg praziquantel and 72.6 mg pyrantel base as pyrantel pamoate." I'm confused as to why it has 4 times the suggested dosage of the pyrantel pamoate, and concerned since that is the one with the warnings and the one I don't actually need (see #1).

3. I ran across this comment elsewhere on RabbitsOnline, with reference to tapeworms: "Droncit might work.. but don't do drontal." Since there was no elaboration, I'm wondering why PixieStixxxx advised against it. (post came from http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f14/uvic-rabbit-rescue-operation-54631/index4.html#post761813)

4. If one drug will do the trick (which the praziquantel/Droncit would), how much additional risk would I be adding by throwing in an extra toxin? If minimal risk, okay; if more than that, not okay. Which is why I asked about experiences/side effects.

Yes, vets have a lot of training, and my vet consults with specialists just to make sure she's got the best approach (which some of my previous vets wouldn't). But vets are human, sometimes busy and tired, and sometimes make mistakes or don't look at things closely enough. Therefore, I always check and double-check, even with a rabbit-experienced vet! There were times in my 18 years with rabbits that I didn't, and my rabbits suffered for it. Luckily, my current vet knows that a dedicated rabbit website (or even owner) may know a thing or two that she hasn't encountered, and is eager to learn.

Seeing my concerns here in black and white, and the lack of any experience with the Drontal here, I've decided not to use it. I have since learned that the praziquantel is now available over-the-counter, so I'll ask my vet about doing that instead, since this was all due to not having that on hand!
 
If you're that worried I would see if another vet has some. For a rabbit with the backup of your vet you should be able to find someone that will supply it. I personally have never used it in rabbits
 
There is a list of rabbit-savvy vets here on this board.
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f21/

If you like, you might ask your vet to consult with one of those listed in your area, for confirmation that this is an appropriate drug combination. A quick telephone call can put it straight :).

Good on you for being such a diligent owner - more people should do their homework like you - really awesome :D
 
There is no problem with ordering the Droncit -- we were just trying to figure out something quick and inexpensive, since she would have to order it in a larger quantity than I need and the stuff is pricey. Petsmart charges $25 for 3 tablets of the Tapeworm Tabs brand. But I found the same thing at Stockdale's for $15 and my vet okayed it, so I gave him one yesterday.

Yes, we discussed fenbendazole. It would have to be given 5 days in a row, and then repeated after 10 days and would take longer to get results. The praziquantel is 1 dose, then another 1 dose in 10 days, and acts very quickly (and I like its mode of action), so that seemed the best route. I don't give meds in horse-formulated tubes to my rabbits (other than Biosponge, which isn't really a med). It's too difficult to dose accurately and the medicine isn't distributed evenly in the tube since it's meant to all be given at the same time, so you could end up giving your bunny too little or a toxic amount. Quest Plus also contains moxidectrin, which raises the same issues about two drugs in combination that I had about the Drontal. But it's good to learn about what is out there!

There are actually no rabbit-savvy vets listed on the RabbitsOnline listing in this area, and only 1 in my entire state, so I don't find the list very helpful! In 18 years here, I have been through 7 vets in this town who treat exotics, and my vet is the only one I will take my rabbits to now. I do drive (too regularly!) to the university vet school 2 hours away to see their exotics specialists for specialized tests and treatment (like my one bunny's thymoma -- she referred me there). So I guess all those vets just haven't made the list yet (maybe I need to put them on there?!).

Thanks for all the replies, and for anyone else looking for praziquantal, see if there's a Stockdale's near you! It can also be ordered online.
 
Just for extra information, fenbendazole is sold as Safeguard in feed stores and we prefer to use the liquid for goats. Makes for much more accurate dosing and I know for a fact that it's easy on their digestive system. We've dosed rabbits with it for other reasons and I never had to give probiotics for gut issues.
 
We are worming and giving Feline Advantage flea prevention to our cats... our Rabbit Chance lives amongst the cats... The company that makes Feline Advantage said it was safe for rabbit use... He's been given it for several years as our guinea pigs... Not sure Chance has tapeworms but would like to deworm him today while doing the cats... did she think it was safe to use in a healthy adult neutered rabbit?
 
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