Milbemax is a combination of two anti parasite drugs that helps to combat heartworm, hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm infections. Because these parasites are relatively common in many parts of the country and can actually cause major health concerns for many pets, it's important that you take any measures necessary to eliminate an infestation when it starts in your pet. Read on for a brief overview of Milbemax and it's various uses, side effects and benefits.
Milbemax Overview
This medicine has been developed for use in only dogs and cats. It is a combination of the drugs praziquantel and milbemycin, both of which work in different ways to eliminate parasites. Between these two drugs, the effectiveness of the treatment for parasite infestation is much higher than it would be with a single treatment type.
Milbemycin disrupts the nervous system of different types of parasites in your pet's body, paralyzing and then killing them. Praziquantel functions by reducing the ability of the worm to be able to attach to the inner walls of your pet's intestine. It can therefore be eliminated through bowel movements more easily.
Using Milbemax for Your Pet
Milbemax is available most commonly in a tablet form. The tablets range in size and come in a variety of different dosages. The exact amount that you'll need to give to your pet will depend not only on his size and preexisting health conditions, but also on the type and severity of the parasite infestation from which he's suffering. Be sure to follow your vet's instructions for how to best provide this drug carefully in order to ensure that all of the parasites are properly eliminated. These tablets should be provided along with food, and are usually mixed up in a meal or given along with a treat in order to be most effective.
Side Effects of Praziquantel Use
If your pet is very young (under 2 months), it's generally not advisable to give him this medicine. Otherwise, this drug is generally considered very safe for use in dogs. While it's possible that your pet might have an allergic reaction to the medicine, this situation is very rare. If your dog already has heartworm, it's important that you not treat him with Milbemax, but rather a medicine that is specifically designed to eliminate heartworm cases when the worms have already infected your pet.
The side effects of Milbemax typically include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Sedation or tiredness
If your pet suffers from tapeworms, roundworms, or hookworms, or if you're concerned about the possibility of developing heartworms but he doesn't yet have them, treat him with Milbemax in order to ensure that he doesn't lose out on the nutritive elements of the food that he eats. In some cases, milbemycin and praziquantel are prescribed separately from one another in order to specifically target certain types of parasites.