Ask a vet online – ‘ Is too many wormer tablets bad for my dog?’

Because the old “every 3 months” advice is now widely seen to be contributing to substantial damage to the environment – we wrote an article about it recently. There is ongoing research in the area, but the ideal interval for worming is rather controversial, since the original data behind the 3 month worming was obtained from experimental dogs kennelled in their own faeces, and is probably not representative of the risks faced by most pet dogs in the UK!
Your vet will have carried out a lifestyle and location risk assessment on your dog, and decided that she is relatively low risk for worms and that every 6 months is adequate to minimise the risk. Remember too that many of the worms we treat for are more of a concern to us than to our adult pets.

In most cases yes, but you’d need to check the exact datasheet or label instructions.

I wouldn’t, as they contain similar and overlapping ingredients. It’s unlikely to be a problem, but I wouldn’t recommend it, and I’d check in with your prescriber first.

If this was Bravecto 1000mg, then he will probably have cover, but it almost certainly won’t last the whole 3 months. In the case of the Milbemax, half a tablet is a significant underdose, so you should definitely check in with your vets.

The Milprazon will cover for tapeworms that the Prinocate won’t. The other active ingredients are related, but don’t hang around in the body for long, so I would double check with the vets how far apart ot give the 2 treatments, especially if she’s got any collie or other herding dog ancestry.

Although it depends on any other ingredients included, for most wormers with these ingredients, a 50% overdose is very unlikely to cause problems.

It depends what dewormer – i.e. what the active ingredient is. Few are toxic at only twice the dose, but there are one or two that could be.

Yes, Droncit contains praziquantel which is used to break the life-cycle of tapeworms (a dog with fleas almost certainly has tapeworms, that’s how the life-cycle works). And praziquantel is incredibly safe, so I really wouldn’t worry about it!
However, I would report to the vet and potentially to the VMD (the medicines regulator) the sleepiness on Bravecto – it’s unlikely to be related to the drug, but any unexpected effect should always be reported.

I doubt it – those ingredients are pretty safe up to 10 times overdose, so I think the worst that is likely to happen is that one dog didn’t get wormed!

I doubt it – these are 2 very different drugs that don’t really interact. If the same vet has prescribed both, it’s clearly what they feel your pup needs, and those medications would usually be safe together anyway.

It depends on the active ingredient in the drug and how big your dog is! For example, if he’s only 5lb, that’s a massive overdose, and side effects are more likely. If he’s 30lb then it’s spot on the right dose.
It’s unlikely that it will cause very serious side effects, but without knowing those two pieces of information, it’s impossible to say!

Without knowing what the active ingredients are, I can’t tell you how serious it’s likely to be, so I’d suggest going back to the vet who prescribed the meds on that one!

Without knowing what the product is it’s hard to give advice, but it does sound like a toxic reaction from what you’ve said. Try and minimise stimulation and seek veterinary help from someone who can examine him if at all possible!

It is not a product I am familiar with directly. I would not anticipate nay major side effects, but I would recommend getting advice from the prescriber before going ahead.

It depends what the active ingredients in the two wormers are, unfortunately! For most, it’s not likely to be serious, but some may be much more so.

I don’t think so; if he had the full dose there shouldn’t be any need.
It’s a bit of a myth that you’ll always see worms coming out if the wormer has worked; with most modern wormers, the worms die and are digested, it’s only with the very old and weaker ones where the worms aren’t killed by the drug but are regularly passed whole. In most cases, worms in poo after worming = a very high worm burden!

If you’ve used a modern wormer, you won’t normally see them – they’ll be dead and digested well before they reach the faeces, unless the worm burden was very high.

Well, perhaps consider a different wormer, in case that triggered things, although I’ve not seen any reports of it happening before. Unfortunately, Frenchies are very prone to skin allergies – and that’s probably what’s going on here. I’d be suspicious that the wormer issue was a red herring…

Almost certainly, but just check on the packet leaflet first.

It depends what the active ingredients were! In most cases, it’s very unlikely to be an issue, but there are some drugs where you could see a serious stomach upset, or even neurological signs.

It’s unlikely to be directly related to the drugs – although we don’t have inceptor plus here, it looks pretty similar to the prescription wormers we use, and they’re pretty safe, while Drontal is generally very safe too.
I also don’t know what species of lungworms or heartworms you have in your location, but you could get signs like this from death of a mass of worms in the lungs or great vessels of the chest, which can be pretty serious.
I would say though, that unexplained heavy breathing is always a worry, whatever the cause, so I’d definitely get him checked over by your vet ASAP.

In all probability, it would be safe to give another one – those are both very safe agents, and even if some had been absorbed, he clearly vomited up most of it! That, of course, is assuming that he’s adult and otherwise healthy – if not, check with your vet.

Firstly, thank you!

Secondly, the RCVS is the regulator, rather than an information body – although I don’t disagree with you…!

OK, so in terms of worming, the reason for the 3-monthly advice is two fold. Firstly, it’s very easily remembered; and secondly, it’s sufficient to break the life-cycle of the majority of worms that cause us problems in the UK. Different countries may well have different advice, based on the specific parasites and their risk factors, but let’s stick to the UK. The other thing to remember is that for many of the worms (especially Toxocara), we’re actually worming more to protect human health than dog health, and this interval is sufficient to minimise (although nnot eliminate) shedding of Toxocara eggs in most cases..
If the dog is constantly at risk of reinfection, with very high numbers of roundworms (or tapeworms), then there is a high chance that enough will slip through the 3-monthly net to cause issues, so we recommend more frequent worming. Likewise, if the dog lives with very small children, or people with a compromised immune system, more frequent worming may be indicated because of the high severity of zoonotic disease.
As against that, there is increasingly concern about environmental damage from the use of small animal wormers; and while resistance among tapeworms and most roundworms is pretty rare, resistant hookworms are described.e specially in the US.
The bottom line is that three-monthly is a rule of thumb – it’s not a guideline for all time set in stone. For almost any effective wormer in the UK (NFA-VPS or POM-V), you need to obtain it from an RQP (a vet, a pharmacist, or a Suitably Qualified Person), and they have to factor in all of these considerations and give specific advice based on them.
In terms of what’s the best active ingredient – again, it depends what you want to achieve! The vast majority of worming products contain multiple active ingredients to cover different groups of worms, or to get a synergistic effect against them. In terms of safety, praziquantel is probably the safest product on the market – but it only does tapeworms. Fenbendazole is also very safe, but there are a lot of resistance reports in farm animal species and it requires a course of treatment in most cases, not a one-off. Milbemycin appears very safe in most dogs, as do pyrantel/febantel combinations. Moxidectin has a lower safety margin in a few breeds, but within that, it seems both effective and safe (as well as treating lungworm which has a very patchy distribution – some areas see a LOT of cases others see very few: it depends where you are in the country!).
Once again – how long’s a piece of string?!!! And that’s why most of these agents are classified as NFA-VPS or POM-V, because the safety will depend on the dog’s genetic heritage, the previous worming history, the dog’s current health status, and their current worm burden.

One last point about worm egg counts – these work really well in horses, cattle and sheep, but they have not been validated (despite a LOT of research) in dog and cats. The reason is that the parasites of carnivores seem to shed eggs less reliably and less consistently than those in herbivores, making it really hard to assess. There is some research into blood tests for worm burdens – but I suspect it’ll be a while before that is sufficiently validated to justify regular treatment.

Probably not, but double check with the prescribing vet!

Fortunately, it’s a very safe combination (assuming it’s the same product as marketed as Drontal Plus here in the UK) – and some vomiting is the only likely side effect. If anythign else happens, contact your vet ASAP for advice, but I wouldn’t expect any real issues.

Drinking a couple of swallows of water isn’t going to make any difference to the medicine, don’t worry!

These drugs are worked out on body weight, so his age is less important than his size. However, many of the over-the-counter wormers aren’t very effective; I’d recommend a prescription one which your vet can put up for you.

It depends what the active ingredient is, and the dog’s breed. A few can be fatal in overdose, although most will just cause a severe stomach upset.
I would strongly advise contacting your vet with the bottle in your hand so you can tell them what the active component is!

I’m afraid it depends what the exact product was! However – if the dose wasn’t specified exactly in terms of the dog’s size or bodyweight, then it’s unlikely to be a particularly effective product; if there were no warnings on the package about overdosing, I wouldn’t be worried about you giving him too much. I think it would be a good idea to double check the instructions in the packet for the exact volume of the liquid needed per kg or lb of dog body weight – if there aren’t any, I really wouldn’t use that product again, but go to your vet and get their advice on what to use.

Worming a dog during pregnancy is really important to minimise the transmission of Toxocara to her puppies while still in the womb. You should however seek expert advice as to which wormers (and there are a number) in your area are licensed and tested as safe for this purpose. In general, most wormers based on benzimidazoles (such as fenbendazole) are safe, but it will depend on the exact strength and license terms.

It’s not a drug I’m familiar with. However… if it is a drug licensed for use in cats, you obtained it legally, and the package leaflet doesn’t list any contraindications for your cat as an individual, then I don’t see any reason not to use it!
If it’s a dog form, or she is in a contraindicated group – definitely do NOT give it to her and call your vet for advice.

I’m not familiar with that exact product, but in general, it’s not a good idea to split tablets unless the packaging or the manufacturer’s instructions say you can. The reason is that many tablets have a film or modified absorption coating to control the rate at which the drug is absorbed or broken down. If that coating is broken, then the drugs can’t work properly.

It’s not really ideal – a number of dogs carry a mutation that means that ivermectin is fatal to them; while this is most common in breeds such as Collies and other herding dogs, it can affect other breeds as well, and without genetic testing its impossible to know whether a dog has the mutation or not until they have side effects. Vets will sometimes use ivermectin for managing severe infestations of, for example, heartworms (where the worms will kill so it’s worth taking the risk), but not normally for routine treatment, unless there is no other option.

No, definitely not normal – Drontal is usually a pretty safe medicine and any side effects are very rare. Definitely vet time now!

It sounds more like there’s something else more serious going on than a simple case of worms: he needs veterinary treatment ASAP; it is likely that his life is in danger if he has constant watery diarrhoea and is unable to eat. Find a local charity who can help IMMEDIATELY; find someone who can take him on who has the resources to get him veterinary care, or if all else fails, find someone who can end his suffering.

Take the dog to the vet straight away to get treatment. What you’re describing does not sound like a dewormer being harsh! It is not normal or expected after taking a wormer. Again, take your dog to a vet straight away for treatment! Best wishes to you

That is not a normal reaction to any worming tablet I’ve ever heard of – get him checked out by your vet ASAP as this is serious and definitely not an expected reaction.

Getting tablets into a cat isn’t always easy, and very, very few cats will willingly eat most tablets even hidden in food (unlike most dogs)! You usually have to put them down the cat’s throat; however, I’d suggest contacting the vet and talking about alternative medications – in a cat of that age, a liquid syrup might be easier to get into her!

It depends what the active ingredient in the liquid wormer was, and whether it will interact with any of the ingredients in Simparica Trio! The answer is that it’s probably safe, but you should always tell the prescribing vet and seek their advice before mixing any meds.

Almost all wormers need to be given to the puppies.

If your dog is unable to move at all, call your vet IMMEDIATELY – this is not a normal side effect of any medication that would be used for treating worms

It depends what the active ingredient is; if it needs a course to be effective and she didn’t get the course, then yes it’s really important to get an alternative. Otherwise, the worms can become resistant to the medication. If she did react badly to the drug, in most cases that means that she had a lot of worms in her system when the first dose was given – so all the more reason to make sure she gets an effective dose into her.
You should also report this back to the vet, as all countries have pharmacovigilance systems to report side effects.

It’s very unlikely after so long, although it would depend on the exact drug in the tablet. However, in general, Id say probably not – but whatever’s going on, sounds like he needs veterinary attention!

Most modern wormers don’t result in lots of wriggling worms being expelled – that’s usually only seen in the older and less effective drugs, or if there was a massive worm burden before you started. However, without knowing exactly what drug was used, it’s not really safe to recommend another dose on top!

It’s unlikely to cause a problem; there is no specific contraindication for using these products together, and although they contain one of the same ingredients, pyrantel s active locally within the gut rather than systemically.
As long as the vet prescribed these specifically and it wasn’t a dispensing error, then there shouldn’t be a problem; but if in doubt, just double check!

Having heard back, I think it’s probably just a packaging change between two batches – you used a reputable online dispensary (which is a really wise move!) so no more worries! But it was a very good idea to double check.

I’m not sure exactly what you mean – can you explain? Are you saying that you’ve got 2 different coloured boxes of the same strength? If so, where did they come from, and are they the same date of manufacture (sometimes the manufacturers make minor packaging changes in between batches)?
If not, there is the chance that one is a forgery – it’s uncommon with this particular product, but unless it came direct from your vet or from a reputable dispensary or pharmacy, that is a distinct possibility.

No, not necessarily – many of the tablets have a film coating and if broken, may prevent the active ingredients from working normally. Contact your vet or other medicines supplier for an appropriate medication for him – a liquid or syrup would probably be best.

Probably coincidence: fenbendazole doesn’t hang around long, and half is removed from the bloodstream every 15 hours, so a week after a single dose, there wouldn’t be much (if any) of the drug left in his system.
It is possible that the death of the worms caused a gastrointestinal upset, but that would usually occur within 48 hours, not a week later.

Usually yes, but it depends to some extent what else is in the wormer. Check with the prescriber or supplier!

Diarrhoea and abnormal faeces are very common after antibiotic treatment; many vets will prescribe a dog-specific probiotic to help re-establish normal gut bacteria, although the evidence base isn’t strong. If that’s all it is, it will settle down – although I would check with your vet if it lasts more than a week or so. However, I would strongly advise chatting to your vet before using any additional medications, as it could make it worse!

It depends what the active ingredient was – you’d have to check with the prescriber or the packaging instructions, as some only last 24 hours, while others have a persistent action protecting against parasites into the future as well.

Sudden death isn’t a common side effect of any licensed wormer I’m aware of… With the exception of ivermectin use in dogs with the MDR1 mutation (which is why it is very rarely used in dogs at all). In any case, DEFINITELY report this to your vet and your local medicines regulator – and I’m really sorry for you loss.

If she has a bloat, she will probably be dead before the worming medication works. If you suspect bloat, call your vet IMMEDIATELY.
For more about it, check out this article which is specifically about bloat/GDV

Endovet contains a drug called ivermectin which can cause very serious poisoning, resulting in seizures, convulsions and even death. While a double dose would not usually be fatal, some animals are more sensitive than others. Ideally, try to get to a vet or emergency clinic that is open; if that isn’t possible; keep him in a quiet, dark place, and do not offer food or water until you can get him to an open facility. Hopefully he will be able to break down the medication and make a full recovery. Good luck!

Although it depends to some extent on what the active ingredients are, I’m not aware of any products currently on the market that would be dangerous if you accidentally gave them a month apart instead of three months as a one off – so if he seems fine, I wouldn’t be too worried unless the packaging had specific warnings about it!

Then you should seek attention from a medical professional. This product is very safe in most animals, but I do not know what the safety margins are in humans!

It won’t be a problem in terms of harming him, but it won’t work properly, because neither the praziquantel nor the milbemycin active ingredients will reach the concentrations needed to be fully effective against the worms. I’d suggest giving the vet a ring and asking for another dose to be put up for him so he gets the full amount he needs.

It depends on the exact antibiotic, the dog, and which type of Bob Martin’s! Always talk to the vet who prescribed the medication before mixing drugs, though.

It might be worth having a chat with your vet – there are other possible causes, including anal gland disease; plus some wormers are more effective than others for particular types of worms.

It’s not a licensed drug and legally should only be given under veterinary advice as it can have a range of side effects. The most common side effects are sedation and behavioural changes, but other issues are possible. I’d advise having a chat to your vet before using it again!

It’s licensed to be broken in half, but the license and datasheet don’t mention breaking it up further. As it’s a film-coated tablet, there is a risk that doing so would change it’s activity – potentially making it less effective or even harmful. I’ve never heard of any issues, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen! It might be worth talking to your vet about spot-on wormers next time though…

Get her to a vet AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This sounds like an infectious condition, quite possibly parvovirus. If puppies are dying you don’t wait to see what happens next, you should always seek urgent veterinary attention.

It depends on what the active ingredients in the wormer are, what the active ingredients in the flea tablet are, and what breed your dog is! I’d strongly advise talking to your vet before mixing medications.

With Panacur, as long as she gets the whole dose it should be OK – however, double check with the prescriber if possible.

Most dogs can be wormed monthly with most products without any issues, so a dose of a suitable safe product now wouldn’t be a problem.

That’s not a normal response to the meds – definitely he needs vet attention ASAP; try to take the packaging for the worming tablets so the vet know what drug was in them.

It depends on the antibiotic and the dewormer! It’s best to check with the prescriber.

If he was treated with a vet-strength wormer, then he should be fine, especially if you pick up any poos after him.

The active ingredients in Drontal are very safe, and it would be very hard to overdose on it even if it had been absorbed. That said, legally I can’t advise you to repeat after 3 days as that is off license use, and only your own vet is permitted to advise you go off license. The product authorisation, however, permits a repeat dose at 14 days and that would be the other option.

It depends which type of Beaphar tablet was used (there are several!). Most of them require repeat dosing at a set interval, but the interval varies between types. Check the packaging and leaflet for the specific instructions. It might also be worth having a chat with your vet – none of the Beaphar cat worming products are terribly effective (hence the need for multiple treatments), and a prescription wormer might be more suitable given that there’s clearly an established worm infestation.

It’s a really interesting question. Fenbendazole (the active ingredient) is very widely used, and in farm animals there are major problems with the worms being resistant. So far, this is less of a problem in dogs and cats and the general advice is to routinely worm. However… fenbendazole isn’t the wormer of choice for adult dogs and cats in most situations, as its spectrum of action is quite narrow, and it has no effect on lungworms or tapeworms, and is quite limited against some of the other worms such as hookworms.
The other concern to bear in mind is that worm egg counts for dogs are still a very immature technique, and how reliable they are at detecting active infestations isn’t yet all that clear. .
While I think you’re looking at this the right way – and everyone is going to have to move to it once the tests are better validated, I suspect! – I’d be inclined to talk to your vet about tapeworm treatment in addition, at the very least (as worm egg counts are notoriously bad at picking up tapeworm infestations).

OK, definitely time to ring the vet back – it might be coincidence, it might be they picked something up on the way to or at the vets, it might be that they had massive worm burdens and this is the effect of the wormer killing them, or it might be an adverse reaction to one or more of the medications. But either way – ring the vet back!

Lots of options, but heamorrhagic gastroenteritis (which can be infectious to humans if due to e.g. Salmonella) or parvovirus (often fatal without treatment) are most likely.
Seek urgent veterinary advice and make sure you observe excellent hygiene around the dog to protect yourself and your family from infection.

I think it’s time to see a vet rather than try to force medication into the dog, as they’re clearly very unwell.

It depends on the drug and the dose. Check with the vet or prescriber!

It depends what was in the wormer and how much there was, and whether you can get your dog urgent veterinary treatment.

It depends on the active ingredients, the exact size of the dog, the exact concentration of the active ingredients in each tablet, and even the breed of dog.
Our best advice would be to ring your vet and give them the details, so they can decide what the risk is!

It depends on the specific drug, but probably not – for most flea treatments in dogs, the safety margin is quite wide. Your vet will have considered the risks and decided that a slight overdose is OK in this case.

Definitely back to the vet I think!

It depends how big the dog is and which size of tablets (there are 3 on the market)!

It depends what the tablet is and what the active ingredient is. Follow the advice on the product label or datasheet, or the advice given to you by the prescriber!

Quite possibly. Most off-license products are off license for a reason: they aren’t tested or aren’t safe.

It depends on the exact medication and what the active ingredients were – ring your vet with the label and double check, although it’s likely to be fine for most products.

Any change in appetite after deworming could be due to death of worms, blocking the gut, or a reaction to the medicine. I’d advise a chat with your vet; there are no medicines that will stimulate appetite in dogs that can I can legally advise as they are all prescription only – so again, see your vet!

Get him to a vet ASAP. Neurological signs may be a sign of nerve toxicity, which can occur when some worming products (harmless on their own) are combined with other drugs. Remember, you should never be giving antibacterial drugs except under your vet’s advice, and some of them don’t mix well with other medicines.

Any severe worm infestation will tend to give alternating diarrhoea and more normal faeces. If it doesn’t resolve as you continue the course of medications, or continues to be bloody, or he develops any more signs , or you are concerned – call the vet for advice – it may be that there’s something more serious hidden underneath the parasites. Good luck!

Definitely call the vet – some of the active ingredients are safe, but others could be quite dangerous.

Get them to a vet as fast as possible.

It depends on what drug was in them and what dose. My best advise – call your vet immediately with the packaging.

Probably, but it will depend on the exact dose and active ingredient (Bob Martin do a wide range of different tablets with different active ingredients, all with almost identical branding). Id;s suggest a chat with your vet, who will be able to recommend a product that doesn’t interact with the original dose.

It depends on the active ingredient – never give more, or more often, than is recommended. The most effective products available are those sold on prescription from your vets; these often last for 2-4 weeks, killing any worms in this time. So my advice would be to talk to your vet about the most appropriate worming programme for your dog – and just as importantly, for your cat!

It depends what the active ingredient was, how much was given, how big the puppy is, and what their breeding is.
Best answer – call your vet and ask for advice, urgently!

This is why we recommend worming every 2 week in young kittens – because one dose will never kill all the worms, especially if he was infected by a heavily infested mother. Keep up the good work – and if you’re concerned, ask your vet about prescription-strength treatments once he’s old enough for them.

It depends what the worming agent is – there are lots of different products out there and some are suitable, some are not! Your vet or a Registered Animal Health Advisor/SQP will best be placed to advise you.

That sounds like quite a complicated situation, with antibiotics being prescribed and worm infestations. I’d strongly advise you to talk to your vet for advice as to what wormers can safely be used with the antibiotics, or whether further tests are needed.

It depends what the drug is! There are many hundreds of different worming products, in different strengths, containing different active ingredients.

There’s no way to know because there are lots of different worming products, with different ingredients. Many of them are safe together, but some can be dangerous if mixed. You need to let the vet know ASAP what drug your girlfriend’s grandmother gave the dog, so they can check for any dangerous contraindications or interactions.

Check with your vet, who will be able to recommend a suitable product that won’t interact with the drug you’ve already used. But yes, there are tablets, even spot-ons, available now!

It depends why your puppy is small. If it’s genetic – then no, there aren’t. However, stunting can be due to a wide range of medical conditions, including congenital heart disease and liver shunts, so I’d STRONGLY advise you talk to your vet about your puppy’s failure to grow as you’d expect. Many of these conditions can be treated if detected early, and the puppy will catch up on their growth once the underlying problem is resolved. Good luck!

Call your vet ASAP with the name of the products – many dog products are toxic to cats, but fortunately most of the really lethal ones are flea treatments not wormers.

What happened to your puppy when this happened? Something similar happened to our puppy.

It depends what the active ingredient in the tablet was – there are lots of different wormers on the market with a wide range of actives. Some are more dangerous than others. However, the first step is always to contact your vet, or failing that the prescriber, with the name of the product and the packaging, for advice.

It depends on what the tablets were, what the active ingredients were, how old, how big, and what breed your dog is, and what other medicines he’s on!

Get to a vet NOW and the puppy might be able to be saved. RIGHT NOW.

It depends on the specific drug – with most, though, double dosing is a really bad idea, as it can lead to overdose and even toxicity.
If the worms are still there after a dose, it suggests that the product used wasn’t very effective, so I’d strongly advise talking to your vet and getting a prescription-strength effective medication.

Probably not; drug induced pancreatitis is fairly uncommon in dogs (although it does occur). If however he’s had pancreatitis episodes following medications before, or the trigger for his episodes isn’t clear, I’d advise chatting to your vet for their advice first.

It depends on which drugs you’ve used. Some medications (the macrocyclic lactones) are sold as both flea and worm treatments, and so there is a risk of overdose if given together. For others, there’s no risk. Best thing to do is contact your vet with the names of the two products and ask for advice.

It’s usually best to leave the correct gap in between doses, unless your vet advises otherwise.

It’s worth bearing in mind that many dogs will never be 100% worm free – because they picked up larvae while still a puppy. However, the aim is that these larvae aren’t active and reproducing in the gut. A single dose of Drontal is likely to eliminate any adult worms, unless he had a really heavy burden, but you will of course need to continue dosing on the normal schedule as larvae come to adulthood, to prevent them from laying eggs that will contaminate the environment. As long as your other dog is being wormed regularly, there shouldn’t be any problem medical with them playing together, just make sure you support a safe introduction… Hope that helps!

Tapeworms are rarely dangerous in short infections and small numbers. They need treating, but your dog is likely to be OK for a few days – although watch out for vomiting or bloating, which can be caused by intussusception due to the tapeworms.

Never go off license – these medications are fairly safe but only if used within the terms of the license. If it says not less than 12 weeks, then don’t use it less than 12 weeks. It isn;t until that age that the liver and kidneys are developed enough to cope with most medications.

We really wouldn’t recommend splitting a tablet or chew like that – many pharmaceuticals have a protective layer incorporated into them, and if that’s broken, the drug may not work as expected. In particular, it might not be safe to store it until next time.

There are a huge range of active ingredients in wormers, but relatively few are effective against lungworm or heartworm. Under UK law, though, it’s illegal for us to recommend a product, so we’d suggest talking to your vet, based on the risk profile in your area.

NEVER give a dog product to a cat. A cat’s metabolism is very different from a dog’s and many of the drugs used in dogs are highly toxic to cats – it isn’t an just issue of “strength”.
Seek a local cat charity who can help, and vets will also do free of charge flea and worm checks. There are also over the counter medications in many jurisdictions which can be supplied by a pharmacist. If your cat has visible worms, she needs treatment, or be prepared to surrender the cat if you cannot care for her properly.

It’s very, very unlikely; licensed worming products are actually very safe. The drug company will usually pay for an autopsy in these cases to determine what the cause is, but sadly, it’s more likely that she found something unexpected somewhere to eat.

It depends on the exact drug you used! Check the label, it should give advice; but in any case, your vet is best placed to advise you.

OK, ring the vet and talk to them – unexpected adverse reactions to any medication can occur, but many other conditions could cause this – your vet is the person best placed to advise you

I’m so sorry to hear that. Although toxic side effects are possible from any medicine, I would say it’s more likely that this is an effect of some underlying condition, rather than the drug. One possibility might be that there was a different disease causing the original signs; another might be that he had so many worms that now they’re dead, they’re blocking his intestine. Whether it’s an overdose will depend exactly what the active ingredients were in the wormer you gave and the injection the vet gave, but it seems unlikely.
However, whatever the reason – he needs another vet check, this is not a normal reaction!
Good luck!

It depends exactly what the active ingredient in the pill was! Some just paralyse the worms for a short time, so if the dog doesn’t defecate, the worms just swim back to where they were. Other medications may kill the worms outright, so it doesn’t matter.

It depends what the product is – there are lots of different worming agents out there! The good news is that not all tapeworms can be caught by dogs through faeces; however, you are right to be cautious. If the product contains praziquantel, then dosing at any time 24-48 hours after exposure is likely to be effective. For other active ingredients, it’s more variable, so check the packet label for details.

This product is usually a very effective wormer with 3 separate ingredients. However, I wouldn’t advise repeating the dose immediately. You may sometimes (but not always) see fragments of dead worms after worming if there was a really heavy infestation present. In this case, the licensed treatment is to repeat the dose 14 days later. If 2-3 days after that you’re still seeing worms, book and appointment with your vet to get him checked out, but I think it’s unlikely!

Unfortunately, it depends exactly what the medication was – there are many different types of worming liquids, some of which are very safe and very hard to poison a pet with, but others that are potentially a little harmful. If you think she’s behaving abnormally you should contact your vet immediately for advice, and be ready to tell them exactly what the medication was and how much she had.

It will depend on his weight, as doses for animal medications are based on weight, not age. You can find the dosage guide in the Summary of Product Characteristic (“SPC”) at the VMD’s product database, here.

The most common reason for white rice-type worms is a tapeworm infestation with the worm Dipilidium caninum. While this worm is usually quite easy to kill with dewormers, dogs contract the worms through fleas and lice, so can be constantly re-infected. However, if the worms aren’t responding to the normal treatment, then further tests to see exactly what type of worm they are is really important – some tapeworms in dogs are infectious and potentially dangerous to people. I think I’d follow your vet’s advice on this one – if the wormer isn’t working, you need to know why!

The active ingredient in Droncit is praziquantel which is a fairly safe drug – I’m not aware of any common side effects from it. However, if she bloated up after the tablet and it didn’t resolve in an hour or so, or if she’s showing any other symptoms, you should call your vet for advice.
Remember, Droncit will only cover tapeworms, not roundworms, so won’t necessarily solve the problem if there’s a heavy roundworm burden inside her as well.

It depends on the formulation. If it’s a tablet or a liquid that they have to swallow, it doesn’t really matter as long as you can check that they’ve taken and not cleverly spat it out!
If it’s a spot-on, it’s worth checking the packaging to see what the recommendations are; some, for example, mustn’t come into contact with fabric as they may damage the dyes in upholstery etc, in which case it’s often best to give before a walk – but never before a swim or in wet weather, as it may wash off before its absorbed properly.

Yes, you should definitely continue to treat.
It’s important to remember that pretty much all puppies have worms which they contract from their mother in the milk, or even in the womb. It’s also vital to be aware of the fact that the vast majority of intestinal worms are not passed int he faeces or vomited up – this is usually evidence of a very high worm burden.
I’d advise contacting your vet for advice on the most effective, safe, product that is available, as this might suggest that the wormer previously used may not have been that effective.

It depends on the exact drugs that were used, and on the breed of dog. Some flea/tick treatments contain similar ingredients to some wormers, and shouldn’t be combined (typically moxidectin or selamectin flea products with milbemycin based worming products), especially in high-risk dogs (such as Collies and other herding breeds). I’d advise you to contact your veterinarian for advice if you’re not sure whether the drugs can safely be combined.

This isn’t a product that is licensed for use in the UK, and so it’s not something I can really give you advice on (although the active ingredients look to be fairly effective and safe).
In general, though, you won’t see worms in the faeces of a dog even with a heavy worm burden, as the adults are all hiding further up in the bowel. Their eggs will be passed out, but are usually microscopic, so no worms in the faeces does NOT mean no worms in the dog! However, while this looks like a suitable product, I would advise you to check with your own veterinarian, as there may be a different medication available in your jurisdiction that would be more appropriate in a dog with an unknown worming history.

It depends on the exact drug, and to some extent to dog. Some dogs are genetically more sensitive to some types of wormers than others. Although in general most wormers are fairly safe, I would advise you to contact your vet for advice, and tell them the exact brands of wormers used.

OK, you need to contact your veterinarian for advice as soon as possible – there may be a serious medical problem that needs urgent attention.

I wouldn’t advise it in general, because it depends on what wormer was used (some last for a long time in the dog’s system still working, others are cleared in a few days), your dog’s breed (some breeds are more sensitive to toxic effects from some drugs if given too often), and why you think they might need re-worming (sometimes worms become resistant to the effects of wormers, especially over the counter ones; sometimes dogs have a more serious health problem that just looks like a high worm burden). The best person to talk to about this is your vet, who will usually be happy to give free advice over the telephone.

Hi Shelly, always if you have any concerns you should contact your own vet – this is because they will have access to all the medical records for your animals. We can’t afraid comment on cases such as yours, as it’s both dangerous and unethical – we don’t want any harm to come to your pets advising on medication!

Hi Olivia, some medications can cause a flare up – please check with your vet for their advice on the wormer type.

If he seems unwell or in pain, we’d strongly advise you to call your vet. It might well have nothing to do with the worming tablets, but nevertheless, he should be checked over.

Hi Zena, it’s not licensed for monthly use, so we can’t recommend it, we’d suggest to double check with your vet who knows your dog’s medical history as an individual.

Essentially, it depends what wormer you used – some are licensed for use in pregnancy, others are not. We’d suggest you contact your vets and double check with them, making sure you know what the active ingredient in the wormer you used was.

Hello, sometimes it takes a while for the worms to be expelled from the body, however, please consult your own vet, as they are best placed to advise, as they provided the treatment.

Hi Lisa, it sounds like he was eating an earthworm? In which case he should be fine. If you have any worries about him, please speak to your vet for further advice.

Hi Ashley, please do not worm them more than the product recommends. A heavy worm burden can take some time to go – our advice is to return to your vet if you are still concerned and NEVER overdose, or try to speed up the process. Dave RVN

Hi Alida, I’d recommend taking the puppies along to your vet for a check-up as soon as possible. They’ll need a thorough clinical exam in order to find out what’s causing this sudden problem

Hi Tina. It depends on many factors, including the dosage and type of wormer. If you’re worried, I’d recommend giving your vet a call who will have more clinical information to hand and should be able to discuss any concerns you have fully.

Hi Rachel. It can be very difficult! Carry on with the two doses and if you’re having any problems I’d recommend giving your vet a call to see what they’d recommend.

Hello, I’d recommend giving your vet a quick call to check, as they will know the tablets that are being used and the dosage for that particular wormer.

Hi Aksha. I’d recommend giving your vet a call to double check as they’ll be aware of his full history and any treatment he’s on, and will be best placed to answer your query

Hi Elizabeth. No, it’s not too early to treat again, so I’d recommend checking with your vet which product is most suitable for your dog and also treat for fleas (as fleas play a role in the life cycle of tapeworm). Regular preventative treatment throughout the year will help to keep on top of things and keep your dog protected.

Hi Dawn. That shouldn’t cause any problems at all, but if you’re worried about your dog or he seems unwell in any way, I’d recommend giving your vet a call for advice.

Hi Tom. Wormer should work quickly, and you should then see the worms passed in the faeces. We’d always recommend using a vet-recommended product for fleas and worms as they’ve been clinically tested, so we know that they not only work, but are safe to use. With this in mind, we would still recommend taking your puppy in to see your vet. They can get an accurate weight for your puppy – this is really important for dosing your puppy correctly, and they can also give your puppy a general check-over. The whining is likely due to the fact he’s been taken away from his mother too early, but it would be a good idea for your vet to rule out any other problems.

Hi Bunny. There are various wormers you can use for your dog, and the best thing to do is speak to your vet or vet nurse directly, as they’ll be able to advise you on the most effective type of wormer for your dog based on her weight. They’ll also be able to help guide you as to the best flea and worm treatments year-round for your dog, and let you know, depending on the treatment used, how often you need to treat her.

Hello, it’s always worth giving your vet a call in a situation like this as they’ll know the dose that they recommended and whether or not they’ll need to see your dog for a check up.

Hi Tarsheen. We’d recommend speaking to your vet again, as it will depend on the type of wormer you’re using for your dog as to how often it can be given. Your vet will be best placed to advise you, as they will know the product you’re using and how regularly it can safely be given.

Hi Mark. It could be the wormers that have upset his tummy, but we’d recommend giving your vet a call for advice as they’ll know the type of wormer he had and the dose he needed. You may need to pop your puppy in to see them if he’s still got diarrhoea, as at such a young age they can become dehydrated quite quickly so he may need some treatment to settle his tummy down – again, if you speak to your vets they’ll be able to let you know if they feel he needs to be seen.

We’d recommend contacting your vet for advice as they’ll know all of the factors involved in your dog’s care, including the wormer dispensed and will be able to give you the best advice on next steps.

Hi Harika, he needs to be seen by the vet again by the sound of it. There are many potential reasons that he’s not eating. Please take him soon and explain your concerns. Best wishes

Hi Jesse,

Worms are so horrible! As there are so many types of dewormers I’m afraid we cannot give specific advice about dosages, and strongly suggest you contact your own vet for advice as they will have the latest details on your schnauzer.

Hi Jesse,

Worms are so horrible! As there are so many types of dewormers I’m afraid we cannot give specific advice about dosages, and strongly suggest you contact your own vet for advice as they will have the latest details on your schnauzer.

Hi Lisa,

You don’t say if the worms were still alive? Most wormers kill the worms in the intestine and sometimes they are shed in the poop which owners can see, but are in fact dead worms…

Hi Lisa,

You don’t say if the worms were still alive? Most wormers kill the worms in the intestine and sometimes they are shed in the poop which owners can see, but are in fact dead worms…

Hi Dawn, if your puppy is shedding live worms/worm eggs then there is the potential to re-infest himself. Give your vet a ring for advice as they’ll know what you’ve treated him with and will be able to advise you more specifically. Best wishes, enjoy your new pup!

Hi Dawn, if your puppy is shedding live worms/worm eggs then there is the potential to re-infest himself. Give your vet a ring for advice as they’ll know what you’ve treated him with and will be able to advise you more specifically. Best wishes, enjoy your new pup!

Hi Carol, it depends which flea tablets/worm tablets you use. Give your vet a ring and they will happily advise we’re sure. Many thanks.

Hi Carol, it depends which flea tablets/worm tablets you use. Give your vet a ring and they will happily advise we’re sure. Many thanks.

Hi Stephanie, without knowing the details, we’d recommend you contact your vet. Puppies by nature are delicate and any illness/poisoning is better acted on early. Best wishes.

Hi Stephanie, without knowing the details, we’d recommend you contact your vet. Puppies by nature are delicate and any illness/poisoning is better acted on early. Best wishes.

Please take him to the vet ASAP, without knowing the details, he could become rather poorly. Thanks and best wishes

Please take him to the vet ASAP, without knowing the details, he could become rather poorly. Thanks and best wishes

Hi Delsie, I think you should take him to be checked over by your vet again. Something’s obviously going on and with such young puppies it’s important to address illness sooner rather than later. Best wishes

Hi Delsie, I think you should take him to be checked over by your vet again. Something’s obviously going on and with such young puppies it’s important to address illness sooner rather than later. Best wishes

Hi Shawna, I recommend that you take her to your vet and discuss the best plan of action with them. There may be a requirement for different or additional treatment. Best wishes

Hi Shawna, I recommend that you take her to your vet and discuss the best plan of action with them. There may be a requirement for different or additional treatment. Best wishes

It will eventually, however it’s best to call your vet and ask them for advice as they have all the records, weight etc.

It will eventually, however it’s best to call your vet and ask them for advice as they have all the records, weight etc.

Hi, you should be able to worm her again soon, but it’s best to check with your own vet as well before you do!

Hi, you should be able to worm her again soon, but it’s best to check with your own vet as well before you do!

Hello Adele, she sounds fabulous! Unfortunately we cannot give advice on drug dosages and will always refer you to your vet. Safety is a priority!

Hello Adele, she sounds fabulous! Unfortunately we cannot give advice on drug dosages and will always refer you to your vet. Safety is a priority!

Hi Linda, speak to your vet for advice and check whether the wormer the pup is on covers lungworm. It’s good for peace of mind!

Hi Linda, speak to your vet for advice and check whether the wormer the pup is on covers lungworm. It’s good for peace of mind!

Hi Kris, your poor dog, it seems like you are really trying to help sort her out. We would suggest you have a blood sample and faecal analysis completed, especially for bacteriology (Campylobacter, Salmonella) – bacteria along those lines. It doesn’t sound like a typical blockage, so we would suggest lap work first. Hope that helps a bit, good luck.

Hi Kris, your poor dog, it seems like you are really trying to help sort her out. We would suggest you have a blood sample and faecal analysis completed, especially for bacteriology (Campylobacter, Salmonella) – bacteria along those lines. It doesn’t sound like a typical blockage, so we would suggest lap work first. Hope that helps a bit, good luck.

It shouldn’t really make too much of a difference. Four hours should be fine!

It shouldn’t really make too much of a difference. Four hours should be fine!

Hi Nancy, I’m afraid we cannot give information for medicines here, due to legal and safety reasons. Please speak to your own prescribing vet for any concerns.

Hi Nancy, I’m afraid we cannot give information for medicines here, due to legal and safety reasons. Please speak to your own prescribing vet for any concerns.

Hello we are sorry to hear about your puppy. From what you say, it strongly suggests that your pup died from Parvo. It is very highly unlikely that a dewormer caused it or the anti sickness pill. The possible reason your pup foamed at the mouth is the pill is covered with a coating to stop a bitter taste, therefore the coating was broken causing foaming. The symptoms you have described all point towards parvovirus. David RVN

Hi Magenta,

Your dog should not get immune to Drontal, however if you have concerns that they might still have worms, then trying a different wormer is always an option.

Hi Magenta,

Your dog should not get immune to Drontal, however if you have concerns that they might still have worms, then trying a different wormer is always an option.