What Is Drontal Plus for Dogs?

By Flora Richards-Gustafson

Drontal Plus for dogs is a broad-spectrum medication used to treat common intestinal worms in dogs and puppies: whipworms, tapeworms and hookworms. These parasites are found in a dog digestive system and can pass their eggs larvae or casts in the dog's feces. The only method to rid a dog of a parasitic infection caused by intestinal worms is with a de-worming medication such as Drontal Plus.

Intestinal Worm Infections in Dogs and Their Symptoms

Parasitic infections are often caused by the consumption of a contaminated food or ingestion of an infected non-food item (like feces or dirt). Drontal Plus kills intestinal worms that can make a dog vomit, have diarrhea, experience weight loss and weakness and have a general lack of energy and dull-looking fur.

Treating Dog Intestinal Parasites with Drontal Plus

Drontal Plus is a common medication prescribed by veterinarians to kill intestinal parasites in dogs and puppies at least 3 weeks old and weighing 2 pounds. Drontal Plus tablets can be placed in a dog's food or taken by mouth. However, this medicine comes in a single-dose formula based on a dog's weight that should only be administered to the dog the medication was prescribed to.

How Drontal Plus for Dogs Works

Drontal Plus contains three different active ingredients: praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and febantel. These ingredients act independently from each other and don't cause any interference. The praziquantel kills intestinal parasites like tapeworms by disintegrating the skin from the inside out, which is then eliminated by the dog's immune system and excreted. The pyrantel pamoate can causes paralysis in parasites like hookworms, causing them to loosen their grip on the host's intestinal wall. The dog can then rid himself of the parasite in his bowel movement. Febantel makes parasites like whipworms lose their ability to metabolize what they eat properly, causing them to starve.

Drontal Plus Dosing

Drontal Plus tablets for small dogs and puppies is available for dogs weighing up to 25 lbs. Dogs that weigh up to 4 lbs. should only be given half of a Drontal Plus tablet. A dose for a dog weighing 5 to 7 lbs. is 1 tablet, 1.5 tablets should be given to dogs weighing 8 to 12 lbs., and dogs weighing 13 to 18 lbs. should be given 2 tablets. Dogs that weigh 19 to 25 lbs. are given a dose of 2.5 tablets.

Drontal Plus tablets for medium dogs is for canines weighing 25 to 60 lbs. Dogs weighing 25 to 30 lbs are to take 1 tablet, 1.5 tablets should be administered to dogs weighing 31 to 44 lbs, and canines weighing 45 to 60 lbs. need to be given 2 Drontal Plus tablets.

For large dogs weighing up to 120 lbs., Drontal Plus offers tablets for large dogs. Dogs weighing 45 to 60 lbs. should take 1 tablet, while those weighing 61 to 90 lbs. are to be given 1.5 tablets. Large dogs weighing 91 to 120 lbs. should take 2 tablets. Dogs weighing more than 120 lbs. will typically take 2 Drontal Plus tablets, unless directed otherwise by a veterinarian.

This de-worming medicine only has to be taken once to be effective, and retreatment with Drontal Plus should only be scheduled per a veterinarian's instructions.

Drontal Plus Side Effects

Drontal Plus has a high success rate, and its side effects are minimal to rare. Pregnant dogs should not be given Drontal Plus. Side effects in dogs that have been reported include loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, and increased salivation.