Procox for Cats - Dosage, Uses and Side Effects

Procox® is a nematocidal and coccidial antiparasitic in the form of a yellowish or whitish oily suspension consisting of two active ingredients: emodepside (0.9 mg/ml) and toltrazuril (18 mg/ml).

The first active ingredient, emodepside, belongs to the group of depsipeptides and is a semisynthetic compound effective against nematodes or roundworms in cats. It acts at the neuromuscular junction by stimulating presynaptic receptors from the secretin group, causing paralysis and subsequent death of this type of parasite.

Toltrazuril, on the other hand, is a potent triazinone derivative against feline coccidia of the genus Isospora. By preventing the production of further oocysts, it acts against the intracellular development of ova and against all other stages of the reproductive cycle.

Toltrazuril persists in the body for 138 hours, whereas emodepside only persists for 10 hours. Orally, emodepside reaches its maximum concentration at 18 hours after administration, compared with 2 hours with emodepside. The agents dissolve throughout the body and accumulate in the fat.

Hookworms, like tapeworms and roundworms, are a group of blood-sucking parasites that can live in your cat's digestive system. Do not miss this other article to learn more about hookworms in cats, their possible causes, the most common symptoms, their treatment and future prevention.

Image: sucoex.com

Procox® is used in cats for the treatment of mixed parasitic infestations of nematodes and coccidia, especially in kittens.

The antiparasitic spectrum of Procox® is effective against the following feline nematode parasites:

• Toxocara cati
  
  
• Uncinaria stenocephala
  
  
• Toxascaris leonina

Since it also contains toltrazuril, it is also effective against coccidia in cats, specifically:

• Isospora felis
  
  
• Isospora rivolta

Learn more about the intestinal parasites that affect cats and the symptoms they cause.

If you want to know more about the most common intestinal parasites in cats, do not miss this other article where we explain what intestinal parasites in cats are, their symptoms and treatment.

Cats as young as two weeks old and weighing over 400 grams can use Procox® for treating coccidiosis or nematidiosis.

A single administration of Procox® in cats can reduce the spread of isospore oocysts, so no further doses are required. However, if mixed infection with nematodes is still suspected, administration should be repeated.

As with any other antiprotozoal or anthelmintic against parasites, it should be noted that its frequent use may lead to the development of resistance to the drug, with the enormous risk that this entails.

When using Procox® in cats, a small syringe should be used with the exact amount of product prescribed by the veterinarian, depending on the weight of your cat. The dosage is usually between 0.5 and 1 ml/kg, and it is administered through the mouth. Make sure to shake it beforehand.

Although it is very rare, cats treated with Procox® may experience undesirable side effects that manifest as temporary and mild disturbances of the digestive system, such as vomiting or softer stools than normal.

Do not be alarmed if this happens because they will recover quickly and more serious problems such as fever, neurological changes or altered mood and vitality are unlikely. However, if you notice that your cat has an adverse reaction after taking Procox®, you must report it to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Procox® does not usually cause allergic reactions, except in cats that are sensitive to an excipient, but this is very rare. If this is the case, you should ask your veterinarian about another antiparasitic product for cats.

The characteristics of your cat's stool can give you a lot of information about your cat's health. Learn how to analyze your cat's feces in this other article: Is your cat's stool normal? However, if you notice anything strange in your cat's feces, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

As with all medicines, Procox® has a number of contraindications for use in some cats:

• Do not use it in kittens weighing less than 400 grams or less than two weeks old.
  
  
• Do not use it in cats with known hypersensitivity to the excipients or the active ingredients of the product.
  
  
• Do not use the product in pregnant cats, as no studies have been conducted to prove its safety.
  
  
• It should not be administered to nursing cats (at least during the first two weeks) due to the risk of transmission through breast milk.
  
  
• Do not mix it with other medications to avoid interactions.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Procox for Cats - Dosage, Uses and Side Effects, we recommend you visit our Medicine category.