Panacur for Cats and Dogs
Formulation
Liquid, Paste, or Granules
Active ingredient
Fenbendazole
Frequency of use
According to risk
Minimum age/weight
250g / 2 weeks
Treats
Tapeworms, roundworms, lungworms, Giardia
What is Panacur?
Panacur is a non-prescription wormer for dogs and cats that treats roundworms, tapeworms, Giardia and some types of lungworm. It is also suitable for puppies and kittens. Panacur contains Fenbendazole and comes in a liquid, sachet of granules, or paste form.
What does Panacur do?
Panacur contains the active ingredient fenbendazole. Fenbendazole stops parasites by interfering with the way they get and use energy. Because of the way it works, it also kills immature parasites.
What is Panacur for?
Panacur is a deworming treatment for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. It kills:
- Tapeworms: Cysts from tapeworms such as Taenia species are ingested when animals eat prey, lick fleas, or drink milk from an infected adult. The tapeworms develop inside your pet’s intestines. Panacur kills adult and immature tapeworms.
- Roundworms: Roundworms such as Toxocara species are caught when a pet eats, sniffs, or licks another pet’s poop. They’re also carried in other animals like worms and rodents, so if pets eat these they can also get infected. Panacur kills roundworms. It also kills roundworm eggs, so that they can’t infect others when passed in your pet’s poop.
- Giardia: Giardia is a microscopic parasite that can be caught from soil, water, and other places, and can pass between pets, humans, and other animals. Panacur kills Giardia, but a long course is needed and it needs to be combined with a plan to prevent re-infection.
- Lungworm: Panacur kills the dog lungworm Oslerus osleri, but it’s important to note that this lungworm is not the one we worry about most in UK dogs (which is Angiostrongylus vasorum) and Panacur shouldn’t be used as part of a prevention and treatment strategy for this type of lungworm.
There is also some early evidence that Panacur may help treat certain types of cancer in dogs, but this is still under investigation and it isn’t yet licensed for this use.
What are the side effects of Panacur in dogs and cats?
Panacur can have side effects like any medication. However, these are considered very rare and Panacur has a wide safety margin.
- Vomiting and Diarrhoea: Up to 1 in 10,000 dogs and cats experience vomiting and diarrhoea when taking Panacur
In most cases, cats and dogs will use Panacur without any problems. However, if you are concerned about possible side effects you should contact your vet for advice.
If you suspect your pet has Panacur side effects, you should also report the side effect to the VMD. They collate reports to keep pet drugs as safe as possible.
Which animals should not use Panacur?
There are some pets that shouldn’t use Panacur at all, or shouldn’t use it without a clear risk-benefit analysis and recommendation from a vet. These are:
- Animals that are allergic to any of the ingredients
- Species other than dogs and cats
How to give Panacur safely
- Follow instructions carefully: Always use Panacur according to the instructions on the packet and/or from your vet. This includes the right dose, species, and frequency. You will need to know your pet’s up-to-date weight in order to purchase the correct treatment for them.
- Paste: Panacur paste should be given onto the back of the tongue after feeding. It is suitable for puppies and kittens of at least 1kg. Make sure you twist the ring on the plunger to act as a stopper and prevent overdose.
- Liquid suspension: Panacur liquid should be shaken before use, as it is a suspension of powdered drug in liquid, and the powder can sink to the bottom over time.
- Granules: You will need to buy the right size sachet or combination or sachets for your puppy or kitten’s size. If your pet is smaller than the weight for the smallest sachet, you should use another formulation of Panacur as accurate dosing of half sachets is difficult.
- Check with your vet if your pet is on medications: There are no known interactions between Panacur and other medications, but if your pet is on regular medications for other conditions you should talk to your vet about the best options for de-worming.
- Storage and Handling: Store Panacur according to the instructions on the label, usually in a cool and dry place. Make sure it’s out of reach of children and other pets. Dispose of unused paste immediately to protect other householders.
- Report any accidental overdose to your vet immediately: If you have mistakenly given too much Panacur, report it to your vet as soon as you realise the error. They will usually recommend monitoring, but may have other recommendations depending on your pet’s health, symptoms, and the severity of the overdose.
Panacur FAQs
How long does it take for Panacur to get rid of worms?
Panacur works within a few hours, and you might see dead worms being passed shortly after giving the medication. For adult dogs and cats, a single dose is all that is needed to clear the intestines, but a more intense treatment regime is recommended for puppies, kittens, pregnant animals, and for specific worms like Giardia.
How often should I worm my dog with Panacur?
The exact frequency of worming depends on why you’re giving your dog Panacur and their individual risks.
- A mostly-indoor elderly dog likely has a low risk for picking up new worms, in which case once-yearly worming is likely to be sufficient.
- A puppy or kitten should be wormed frequently before they go to their new homes (usually at 2, 5, and 8 weeks of age) and then are usually wormed monthly until they’re six months old.
- A pregnant dog should be wormed every day from day 40 of pregnancy to 2 days post-whelping to reduce the transfer of worms through the uterus and milk.
You should get advice from your vet to determine the proper dose and frequency of Panacur worming.
Can you give Panacur on an empty stomach?
Panacur is best given after eating, it’s less likely to have side effects on a full stomach.
What to expect when dog or cat takes Panacur?
In most cases, your dog or cat won’t show any side effects and will be their normal selves. If they had a lot of worms, you might see these being passed in their poop for a day or two after they have Panacur, but if this doesn’t happen it isn’t a sign that the Panacur hasn’t worked. In most cases dogs will continue as if nothing has happened and there will be no signs they’ve taken Panacur.
Panacur Alternatives
If you aren’t happy with Panacur, you might want an alternative. There are lots of other worming products out there for dogs and cats. We normally list them here, but there are so many that for now, we’d recommend talking to your vet.
Panacur Datasheet
All drugs have a manufacturer’s datasheet, which gives information about the drug’s use and possible side effects. There is usually one in your Panacur box, but if you have lost it you can click on the button below to be taken on an online version.
Please note that the information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only. Although it has been written by a vet, we cannot consider the individual nature of your pet’s problems so it does not constitute veterinary advice. If you have questions about your pet’s medication or their health you should contact a vet, who will be able to help.
