Target species
Dogs and cats
Indications for use for each target species
For the treatment of adult tapeworms of dogs and cats. The tablets are effective against both immature and mature forms of adult tapeworms in both dogs and cats.
The product is a highly effective treatment against all the common species of tapeworm infecting dogs and cats in the United Kingdom and Ireland including Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia ovis, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia multiceps, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia taeniaeformis, and Dipylidium caninum. Droncit is also effective against Echinococcus multilocularis
Contraindications
Do not use in dogs weighing less than 2.5 kg
Do not use in unweaned puppies and kittens, as such animals are rarely infected with tapeworms.
Special warnings
Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for one common type of tapeworm - Dipylidium caninum. To avoid reinfection with this parasite, flea control of the animal and its housing should be carried out at the same time. Unless flea control is complete an infected flea population may survive: i.e. re-treatment of the animal may be necessary.
As a precautionary measure to prevent the establishment of Echinococcus multilocularis in the UK and Ireland, it is recommended that all dogs and cats entering the country be treated with praziquantel.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Any part used tablets should be discarded.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
In the interests of good hygiene, persons administering the tablets directly to an animal or adding them to the animal’s food should wash their hands afterwards.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
Adverse events
None known.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Pregnancy and lactation:
Can be used during pregnancy and lactation.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
Administration routes and dosage
Dosage
To ensure a correct dosage, bodyweight should be determined as accurately as possible.
The recommended dosage rate is 5 mg/kg body weight. This corresponds to 1 tablet per 10 kg body weight.
Dogs | 2.5 to 5 kg | ½ tablet |
Greater than 5 to 10 kg | 1 tablet |
Greater than 10 to 15kg | 1 ½ tablets |
Greater than 15 to 20 kg | 2 tablets |
Greater than 20 to 25 kg | 2 ½ tablets |
Greater than 25 to 30 kg | 3 tablets |
Over 30kg pro rata | For each additional 5kg bodyweight, administer an additional half tablet |
Cats | Adult cats | ½ tablet |
Administration and Duration of Treatment
Oral administration. The tablets are administered by opening the animal’s mouth and pushing the tablet over the back of the tongue so that it cannot be rejected. Alternatively, a tablet can be wrapped in a piece of meat or butter and offered to the animal or crushed and mixed with the food.
A single dose is all that is required. However, for dogs in rural areas and for packs of hounds, this dose should be repeated every four weeks to ensure that newly acquired tapeworms are destroyed before reaching maturity. Dosing must be associated with strict control of the dog’s diet to ensure that uncooked offal is not eaten.
Symptoms of overdose (and where applicable, emergency procedures and antidotes)
Not applicable.
Special restrictions for use and special conditions for use, including restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products in order to limit the risk of development of resistance
Not applicable.
Withdrawal periods
Not applicable.