Caniverm

Caniverm is available as oral tablets in two different strengths, designed to allow precise dosing based on the animal’s body weight:

• 0.7 g tablets, packed in boxes of 6 or 100 tablets;
• 0.175 g tablets, packed in boxes of 6 tablets.

Caniverm is also available as an oral paste for easy deworming of dogs and cats.

Caniverm is indicated for the treatment of parasitic infections caused by roundworms (nematodes) and tapeworms (cestodes) in dogs, cats, felines and canids. The spectrum of activity includes the following parasitic species:

• Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati
• Toxascaris leonina
• Uncinaria stenocephala
• Ancylostoma caninum
• Trichuris vulpis
• Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis
• Dipylidium caninum
• Taenia spp.

Thanks to its broad spectrum of activity, Caniverm for dogs and cats is used both for the treatment of diagnosed infestations and in regular antiparasitic prophylaxis programmes.

Caniverm for dogs and cats is administered as a single oral dose; the tablets can be given directly to the animal or mixed into food.

For puppies, small dogs and cats, the recommended dose is 1 tablet of 0.175 g for animals weighing between 0.5 and 2 kg, and 2 tablets of 0.175 g for animals weighing between 2 and 5 kg.

For medium-sized dogs, administer 1 tablet of 0.7 g or 4 tablets of 0.175 g for a body weight between 5 and 10 kg.

For large dogs and large carnivores, Caniverm should be administered at a dose of 1 tablet of 0.7 g per 10 kg of body weight, thus ensuring effective deworming appropriate to the animal’s size.

The use of Caniverm tablets is contraindicated in the following situations:

• ocular cysticercosis;
• spinal neurocysticercosis;
• liver disease or significant liver dysfunction.

In the case of pregnant women, the risk-benefit ratio must be carefully assessed and the dose precisely calculated.

Fenbendazole acts by blocking the polymerisation of tubulin, a structural protein essential for the parasite’s neuronal axons. 

Pyrantel pamoate exerts an antagonistic effect on nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the parasite’s ganglia, causing spastic neuromuscular paralysis. 

Praziquantel increases the permeability of cell membranes to calcium ions, causing intense muscle contractions, vacuolisation and disintegration of the parasite’s integument. 

The combination of the three active substances has a synergistic effect, increasing the antiparasitic efficacy rate to over 90%.

Following administration, transient reactions such as the following may occur after a few hours:

• vomiting;
• hives;
• weakness or mild lethargy.

These symptoms are considered to be reactions to proteins produced by the death of the parasites and not direct adverse reactions to the active ingredients.

Caniverm must not be administered at the same time as:

• piperazine-based preparations;
• other antiparasitic agents with a similar mechanism of action.

Clinical data indicate a relatively wide safety margin. However, accidental overdose may increase the frequency of mild gastrointestinal or neurological reactions. In the event of overdose, it is recommended to monitor the animal and provide symptomatic treatment.

Caniverm must be stored in the original packaging, in a dry place protected from light, to protect the tablets from external factors. The product must be stored at temperatures below 25 °C, protected from direct light and moisture. Furthermore, Caniverm must be kept out of the reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.

• PubMed, Efficacy of a protocol with reduced doses of praziquantel and fenbendazole in the treatment of asymptomatic schistosomiasis in dogs
• PubMed, Efficacy of praziquantel injection against feline and canine tapeworms
• ScienceDirect, Pharmacokinetics of a new spot-on formulation of praziquantel for dogs
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Fenbendazole