Agustina Fitte, [20 Nov 2023 at 19:50:55]: Good evening all. I need to deworm some wild cats (cheetahs, ocelots, servals and caracals). Is there a common drug that I can use for all of them? I have read oral fenbendazole has a good safety margin in wild cats. Any exceptions or special advice for any of these species? Would ivermectin be a good injectable option for all of them? Thanks in advance. Henry Labuschagne, [20 Nov 2023 at 20:45:41]: Ivermectin is used, but I tend to shy away from macrocyclic lactones in wild felids. It also does not cover tapeworms. Fenbendazole is safe but you need to dose @ 20mg/kg for 5 days. I use Kyron deworming powder or tablets from Vetscripts that is safe, cost effective and covers all worm types. Agustina Fitte, [20 Nov 2023 at 20:46:46]: Thanks Henry! 🙏😊 Agustina Fitte, [20 Nov 2023 at 20:53:39]: Henry, according to Adrian, pyrantel pamoate is not recommended in cheetahs due to high absorption and possible toxicity. Any comments on this? Henry Labuschagne, [20 Nov 2023 at 20:57:11]: I do very little work on cheetah. I pick my battles: no way that I am going to argue with the Prof. Rather safe than sorry: follow Adrian's recommendation. Agustina Fitte, [20 Nov 2023 at 21:10:21]: Thanks Henry. Have you used Milbemax? Henry Labuschagne, [20 Nov 2023 at 21:21:28]: Not yet in wild felids. I use a lot of Milpro/ Milbemax in dogs as I am in a Spirocerca hotspot. Agustina Fitte, [21 Nov 2023 at 09:15:39]: Thanks Henry for your input. Vetscripts also makes a fenbendazole 500mg tablet. Adrian Tordiffe, [21 Nov 2023 at 09:36:20]: It is highly unlikely that the praziquantel is the problem in the combination. I reviewed this paper before it was published and it was clear from the clinical signs that pyrantel is more likely to cause toxicity in cheetahs. The pamoate salt is supposed to reduce systemic absorption to almost zero, but if the animals have gastro-intestinal tract inflammation, this could change, resulting in significant absorption and toxicity. As you will know, gastro-intestinal tract inflammation is common in captive cheetahs. Adrian Tordiffe, [21 Nov 2023 at 09:41:53]: Combinations of praziquantel with fenbendazole or milbemycin are very safe in big cats Henry Labuschagne, [21 Nov 2023 at 09:44:14]: The fenbendazole is a 500mg tablet. Panacur 5% equivalent is 10 ml, so the tablet is a practical option. Panacur 4% powder is another option, but volume could be a practical problem Agustina Fitte, 22 Nov 2023 Thanks Henry and Adrian, I went for the liquid Panacur since I also found that it covers the widest range of worms and it works really cheap/ ml. Will keep in mind the tablets, that’s a great option. 👌👌
