The benzimidazole anthelmintic fenbendazole is used to treat and remove many parasites that cause intestinal problems in dogs and cats. It is very safe for most pets, but some animals can have allergic reactions to the medication. If your pet experiences a reaction, contact your veterinarian immediately. You should always follow your veterinarian’s advice when giving any medication to your pet.
The dose of fenbendazole for pets varies depending on the animal and the specific illness. Generally, the dosage for adult dogs is 11.3 mg per pound of body weight. For pregnant or nursing dogs, the dosage is lower and may need to be adjusted based on your vet’s recommendations.
Using a prescription from your veterinarian, you can purchase fenbendazole capsules for your pet at a pharmacy or pet store. You can also ask your veterinarian to prescribe a custom-made formulation for your dog or cat. You can also find fenbendazole granules to treat certain gastrointestinal infections. It is important to keep fenbendazole stored in a dry place, away from light and heat.
When used as directed, fenbendazole is effective against most of the common intestinal parasites in dogs and cats. It can be used to remove roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala), whipworms (Trichuris vulpis), and the Taenia genus of tapeworms. It is also useful in removing the lungworm, Giardia lamblia.
It is also a broad-spectrum helmintic for cestodes and trematodes. In a number of studies, fenbendazole has been shown to be effective against the cestode Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, and in one study it was found to be effective in removing both cysticercus mansoni and Heterobilharzia americana. It has also been effective in removing the trematode, Eucoleus aerophilus.
In experiments examining its effects on the radiation response of EMT6 cells, fenbendazole was administered to cultures in bottles sealed with rubber gaskets, inserted with needles for inflow and outflow of gases, and placed under hypoxic conditions. The survival of the culture was monitored by a colony formation assay. The results showed that severe hypoxia enhanced fenbendazole cytotoxicity. The results also demonstrated that the structure of fenbendazole is not identical to those of compounds known to act as radiosensitizers.
In another set of experiments, mice bearing tumors were treated with three daily i.p. injections of fenbendazole or a placebo. Tumor volume was measured every week, and the time it took for the tumor to grow from its initial volume to four times its size was calculated. Neither fenbendazole nor the placebo significantly altered tumor growth. The results suggested that fenbendazole did not act as a radiosensitizer, but the general class of benzimidazoles deserves further investigation as potential cancer drugs. fenbendazole capsules