Milpro for cats is a widely used deworming drug, as it eliminates various types of internal parasites that frequently infest cats. In this article on our site, we are going to explain what species Milpro is effective against, how it is used and what precautions to take into account, as well as the main adverse effects that could appear after its administration Milpro for catsRemember that, like any medication, it must be prescribed by the veterinarian.
What is Milpro for cats?
Milpro for cats is a drug containing milbemycin oxime and praziquantel. Both active principles act against several internal parasites that usually infest cats.
Milpro is therefore a very common product in veterinary medicine, since internal deworming of cats is recommended on a regular basis. Depending on the characteristics and living conditions of each cat, the veterinarian will prescribe this or another dewormer.
It is also very important to know how often should I deworm my cat? In this article on our site, we talk more about it. However, it is best to consult your veterinarian.
What is Milpro for cats?
The veterinarian will recommend Milpro if our cat suffers from an infestation by immature and adult cestodes, such as tapeworms, or nematodes, such as roundworms, as well as for regular internal deworming that is recommended to be repeated several times a year. These are the species sensitive to the action of Milpro:
- Cestodes: Echinococcus multilocularis, Dipylidium caninum or Taenia spp.
- Nematodes: Ancylostoma tubaeforme or Toxocara cati.
The veterinarian may also prescribe Milpro as a prevention against heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, in cases where the cat also have cestodes. It can be used for both adult cats and kittens. It must be taken into account that if the cat is infested by Dipylidium caninum, in addition to giving Milpro, it is necessary to eliminate fleas or lice in cats, since they are the parasites that transmit this cestode to felines.
Dosage of Milpro for cats
Milpro is supplied for administration in oval film-coated tablets. They have meat flavor, which can make them easier to administer. It can be given with food or after eating. It is sold in two formats:
- Milpro for small adult cats and kittens, with 4 mg milbemycin oxime and 10 mg praziquantel. They are dark brown.
- Milpro for adult cats, with 16 mg milbemycin oxime and 40 mg praziquantel. They are distinguished by their reddish-pinkish color.
Depending on the cat's weight, the veterinarian will choose the most appropriate presentation. That is why it is important to weigh it before to adjust the dose so that it is effective. The minimum recommended dose is 2 mg of milbemycin oxime and 5 mg of praziquantel per kg of cat weight administered in a single dose. In practice, this is the administration guide:
- De Milpro for small cats and kittens corresponds to half tablet for cats between 0.5 kg and 1 kg in weight. Those 1-2 kg are given a whole tablet.
- From Milpro for cats, half a tablet is given to those weighing between 2-4 kg and the full tablet if the weight is within between 4-8 kg. For larger cats, weighing between 8-12 kg, the dose is one tablet and a half.
When only half a tablet is used, the other half can be kept in the same container until the next deworming. It is important that if there is more than one cat in the household, Milpro is given to all of them at the same time.
To learn more, we encourage you to read this other article on our site on Intestinal parasites in cats - Symptoms and treatment.
Contraindications of Milpro for cats
These are the contraindications to take into account when administering Milpro to a cat:
- It is not recommended to give Milpro tablets to small cats and kittens if they are less than 6 weeks old or less than half a kilo of weight.
- For its part, Milpro tablets for adult cats cannot be given to those weighing less than 2 kg.
- Of course, if the cat has previously shown any allergic reaction to the components of Milpro, its use is not recommended.
- Furthermore, there are no studies on the safety of Milpro in very sick cats or with renal or hepatic insufficiency. Therefore, its administration is not recommended in these cases and only the veterinarian can decide to give it or not, evaluating the risks and benefits.
- The same precaution must be taken in cats infested with microfilariae and in female cats during the gestation and lactation period.
- On the other hand, if the cat is taking some drug and the veterinarian does not know it, it must be reported in case there is an interaction between the two medicines.
Side Effects of Milpro for Cats
Milpro's safety margin is wide, which means that it is unlikely to cause side effects. If any are triggered, it is more likely to happen in younger kittens. The signs that would appear would be the following:
- Systemic signs, such as lethargy.
- Neurological signs, especially muscle tremors and incoordination.
- Gastrointestinal signs, the most typical being vomiting and diarrhoea.
In any case, if you give your cat Milpro and you notice any side effects from those mentioned or different, inform your veterinarian.
Milpro price for cats
Finally, the price of Milpro depends on whether we need the format for cats weighing less or more than 2 kg. In addition, although it is sold in boxes of 4 tablets each, with which we could deworm the cat for a whole year, although it is also possible to purchase a single tablet. There are considerable price variations depending on the point of sale. For reference, we can talk about the following amounts:
- Milpro for cats over 2 kg in a box of four tablets: 15-19 €.
- Four Milpro tablets for cats weighing less than 2 kg: 12 €.
- A single pickup ranges from 3-8 €.
