| Directions |
| Dosage: The presence of parasites should be confirmed by laboratory fecal examination. Weigh the animal before treatment. Administer the proper dosage as specified in the following table as a single oral treatment. |
| DOSAGE CHARTS |
Drontal® Plus tablets
for Puppies and Small Dogs*
(2 - 25 lbs.) | Drontal® Plus tablets
for Medium Sized Dogs
(25 - 60 lbs.) | Drontal® Plus tablets
for Large Dogs
(45 lbs. and greater) |
Body Wt. (lbs.)
2 - 4
5 - 7
8 - 12
13 - 18
19 - 25 | No. of tablets
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5 | Body Wt. (lbs.)
26 - 30
31 - 44
45 - 60
| No. of tablets
1.0
1.5
2.0
| Body Wt. (lbs.)
45 - 60
61 - 90
91 - 120
| No. of tablets
1.0
1.0
2.0
|
*NOT FOR USE IN PUPPIES LESS THAN 3 WEEKS OF AGE OR DOGS WEIGHING LESS THAN 2 LBS.
ADMINISTRATION:
Drontal® Plus tablets have been developed for oral administration. Tablets may be given directly by mouth or offered in a small amount of food. Fasting is neither necessary nor recommended prior to or after treatment.
Retreatment:
For those animals living where reinfections are likely to occur clients should be instructed in the steps to optimize prevention; otherwise retreatment may be necessary. This is true in cases of Dipylidium caninum where reinfection is almost certain to occur if fleas are not removed from the animal and its environment. In addition, for control of Echinococcus multilocularis a program of regular treatment every 21 to 26 days may be indicated (see E. multilocularis section below).
ECHINOCOCCUS MULTILOCULARIS:
Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm species usually found in wild canids including foxes, coyotes and wolves. The parasite has also been identified in domestic dogs and cats and is potentially a serious public health concern because it may infect humans.
The life cycle of the parasite is based on a predator-prey relationship as depicted.
The adult tapeworm is small (1-4mm) and resides in the intestinal tract of the definitive host (wild or domestic canids). Eggs from the adult tapeworm are shed in the feces. Rodents such as mice and voles serve as the intermediate host. Eggs ingested by rodents develop in the liver lungs and other organs to form multilocular cysts. The life cycle is completed after a canid consumes a rodent infected with cysts. Larvae within the cyst develop into adult tapeworms in the intestinal tract of the canid. Eggs may be passed in the feces of the canid approximately 28 days later.
This parasite poses a serious public health problem because of the possibility for human involvement in the life cycle. If eggs shed by an infected canid are accidentally ingested a highly pathogenic condition (Alveolar Hydatid Disease) results from development of the cyst stage in humans.
The original geographic distribution of E. multilocularis was primarily confined to northern areas of North America. Current evidence indicates migration of the parasite well into the continental United States.3,4
Domestic dogs living in E. multilocularis endemic areas that roam freely with the opportunity to catch wild rodents are at risk of infection. Pet owners should be advised on how to minimize this risk. Proper restraint of dogs should be encouraged along with regular treatment with Drontal® Plus tablets following the dosing schedule aforementioned and precautions indicated below.
Additional information on the life cycle and epidemiology of this parasite is available in veterinary parasitology texts.5,6
DIAGNOSIS:
Diagnosis of E. multilocularis in canids is difficult. The adult tapeworm produces no clinical signs of infection. Tapeworm segments (proglottids) are usually not observed in the feces. E. multilocularis eggs observed using microscopic fecal examination procedures are similar in appearance to those of common species such as Taenia pisiformis.
Assistance in the diagnosis of E. multilocularis may be available from a state veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Additional information regarding areas where E. multilocularis is suspected or has been confirmed may be obtained from area veterinary schools or the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA.
Treatment:
Dogs infected with E. multilocularis should be treated to prevent exposure of humans to infective eggs and to break the parasite's life cycle.
The dosage of Drontal® Plus tablets for removal of E. multilocularis is the same as that indicated for the removal of the other tapeworm species listed on the label. Laboratory efficacy studies have demonstrated the recommended dosage is 100% effective.
Under condition of continual exposure to wild rodents retreatment of the dog at 21-26 day intervals is recommended to prevent the shedding of infectious eggs.
Efficacy:
A total of 176 dogs and puppies with naturally acquired or experimental parasite infections were included in 4 well-controlled laboratory studies to establish the efficacy of Drontal® Plus tablets. In addition, 103 dogs and puppies were included in clinical field studies conducted in 5 veterinary clinics at different geographic locations throughout the United States to further evaluate safety and efficacy. These studies included dogs of various sizes, ages and breeds. Data from these studies demonstrated Drontal® Plus tablets are safe and efficacious for the removal of the parasite species indicated on the label when used as directed.
Results obtained in the laboratory and clinical studies indicate small numbers of hookworm or roundworm eggs may be passed in the feces for up to 7 days after treatment although the worms themselves were eliminated. A follow-up fecal examination should be conducted 2 to 4 weeks after treatment to determine the need for retreatment.
