Fenbendazole powder is an oral medication used to treat various intestinal parasites and protozoal diseases including giardia. It belongs to the class of medications called benzimidazoles and works by killing the cells of parasites in the digestive tract. This kills the parasites and prevents them from reproducing. It can also destroy other types of parasites, such as tapeworms spread by fleas.
It can be found in many popular veterinary deworming medications, and is FDA approved for use in horses, cattle, swine, and goats. It is also often used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs and cats.
This medication can be given orally as granules, liquid, or chewable tablets. The medication can be given to pregnant or nursing animals, though a lower dosage is required for these patients. In addition to treating a wide array of intestinal parasites, this drug can also be used to eliminate whipworms and a type of lungworm in dogs. It can also be given to cats for a variety of parasitic conditions, but this use is considered ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’ by the FDA.
Occasionally, this medication can cause loose stools in dogs. This is a normal side effect of the medication, as the body expels the parasites that it has killed. However, if diarrhea persists for more than 48 hours after treatment, talk to your veterinarian as this could be a sign that the medication is not working.
It is important to note that fenbendazole will not destroy heartworms and must be administered along with other deworming medications. Additionally, this medication does not work against all parasites, such as the giardia tapeworm that is spread by fleas. fenbendazole powder