Anthelmintic efficacy of febantel combined with praziquantel in dogs.

Ninety-four dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups (5 treated and 1 untreated control) for evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy. Three anthelmintic formulations were studied: a febantel paste, a praziquantel paste, and a combination paste containing both active ingredients. Treated dogs were dosed once daily for 3 days. The minimal effective dosages in combination were established as 10 mg of febantel and 1 mg of praziquantel/kg of body weight. At those dosages for the combination, 99.5% to 100% of the major nematodes and cestodes identified (ie, Ancylostoma caninum, Trichuris vulpis, Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, and Taenia pisiformis) were eliminated. Febantel paste (10 mg/kg) alone was ineffective against cestodes (14.2% elimination of Dipylidium caninum) and praziquantel paste (1 mg/kg) alone was ineffective (0% to 2.4% elimination) against nematodes.