How dangerous is panacur for my toad?

[TANK]

So my toad has really slowed down in eating since i got him.
the temps have been a little chilly lately so maybe thats the reason is it unsafe to treat him with powdered fenbendazole? *spelling
and if its safe does anyone know the dosage?

[Greg M]

Panacur is quite safe - I've never had a problem with it. Check out the Frog first aid article for some recommendations on dosing. I use an alternate approach, after consultation with a vet:

He prescribed Panacur (Fenbendazole) administered orally at 50 mg/kg of body-weight. He suggested administering daily for 5 days, and then repeating in two weeks. Based on John's posts, as well as information from other sites, I felt this was excessive. Instead, I am treating once per week for three weeks. I was uncomfortable with administering the drug by dusting crickets - I was concerned about accurately dosing the animal. I decided to use a variation on a trick that I found in one of John's posts - injecting the drug into a food item and then feeding to the toad.

So here's what I did:

1. The toad weighs about 100 grams fasted for 4 days (he can weigh a lot more after a big meal).

2. Suggested dose was 50 mg/kg body-weight, so toad needed 5 mg. The vet gave me a 50 mg/ml suspension of Fenbendazole, so toad needed 0.1 ml (or 100 ul).

3. I injected 0.1 ml of well-shaken suspension into a medium-size Dubia roach (into the abdomen) and fed to very hungry toad.

4. I am repeating 2x at weekly intervals. Fecals were clean after second treatment.

Thanks to John and everyone who made suggestions!

[John]

Greg's post is top notch. One piece of information I would like to add though is that the issue with Panacur and amphibians is that an exact safe dosage level has never been established. However, I've never heard of any issues resulting from using Panacur at the 50mg per kg level (which is standard dosage from vet-savvy amphibians).

[Herpvet]

Greg's post is top notch. One piece of information I would like to add though is that the issue with Panacur and amphibians is that an exact safe dosage level has never been established. However, I've never heard of any issues resulting from using Panacur at the 50mg per kg level (which is standard dosage from vet-savvy amphibians).

Hello,

I'd like to add that I would agree about this dose, but you should also bear in mind that worming a heavily-infested animal, particularly if it has lungworm, can lead to a potentially fatal tissue reaction.

The actual worm burden (number of worms) should be assessed properly by faecal microscopy before any wormer is given, and if considered a risk covering antibiotics and anti-inflammatories should be considered when the first dose at least of the wormer is administered.

Which is one of the reasons (not the only reason) that I would discourage worming just because the animal is off colour. Worming, like administration of any drug, should really on be given as a specific treatment for a diagnosed problem. I know this is not always possible, but worm burdens can generally be assessed, and if possible should be before treatment is administered.

Hope this helps.

Bruce.

[TANK]

Hello,

I'd like to add that I would agree about this dose, but you should also bear in mind that worming a heavily-infested animal, particularly if it has lungworm, can lead to a potentially fatal tissue reaction.

The actual worm burden (number of worms) should be assessed properly by faecal microscopy before any wormer is given, and if considered a risk covering antibiotics and anti-inflammatories should be considered when the first dose at least of the wormer is administered.

Which is one of the reasons (not the only reason) that I would discourage worming just because the animal is off colour. Worming, like administration of any drug, should really on be given as a specific treatment for a diagnosed problem. I know this is not always possible, but worm burdens can generally be assessed, and if possible should be before treatment is administered.

Hope this helps.

Bruce.

Sorry for an old bump, I havent been on in a while.

So I shouldnt treat it for worms without getting a fecal test?
Can I get a fecal test at any vet office? Or do i have to go find a herp vet?

And just a side note hes really lost interest in crickets.
Will only eat mealworms, silkworms, and the occasional hopper.

Thanks