🐛 Pyrantel Pamoate Deworming in Dogs & Cats (2025 Vet Guide) 🐶🐱

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

If you’ve adopted a puppy or kitten, there’s a good chance they’ve already received pyrantel pamoate—a trusted dewormer used worldwide. 💊 In 2025, it remains a cornerstone of parasite control, targeting intestinal worms that commonly afflict young animals. Let’s explore how it works and what to expect. 🔬🐾

🔍 What Pyrantel Pamoate Treats

This dewormer is designed to eliminate several types of intestinal worms:

• 🐍 Roundworms (common in puppies and kittens)
• 🪱 Hookworms (can cause bloody diarrhea and anemia)
• 🍽️ Stomach worms (e.g. Physaloptera species)

It does not treat whipworms or tapeworms, so if your vet suspects those, another medication will be needed. 🧬

🧪 How It Works

Pyrantel pamoate acts by paralyzing worms in the intestines. Once paralyzed, they can no longer hold on and are passed through the stool. Because the drug is poorly absorbed by your pet, it acts directly in the intestines with minimal side effects. 🎯

📅 When to Re-Dose

Since some worms migrate through tissues before settling in the intestines, pyrantel must be given in a series:

• 🗓️ Initial dose
• ⏱️ Second dose in 2–4 weeks
• ❓ Possibly a third dose in another 2–4 weeks

This ensures all worms, even those in migration at the time of the first dose, are eliminated. Your vet will advise the exact schedule. 🩺

💩 What to Expect After Dosing

Don’t be alarmed if your pet passes long, white worms in their stool. These are roundworms, and they may appear alive but are often weak and dying. Other possible effects include:

• 💩 Mild diarrhea
• 🤢 Occasional vomiting
• 🐾 Straining or signs of discomfort as worms pass

In very small pets with heavy worm burdens, rare cases of worm impaction may occur—especially with roundworms. Contact your vet if your pet is lethargic or straining excessively. ⚠️

⚠️ Drug Interactions & Safety

Though pyrantel is extremely safe, it should not be used with:

• 🧪 Other dewormers like levamisole, morantel, or piperazine
• 🐜 Organophosphate insecticides (e.g., some flea dips)

It is safe during pregnancy and lactation and commonly used to protect newborns from heavy worm loads. 👶🐕🐈

📦 Storage & Administration

• 🧴 Store at room temperature
• 💡 Keep away from direct sunlight
• 🍽️ Can be given with or without food
• 📅 If a dose is missed, give it when remembered (but don't double up)

🏁 Final Thoughts

Pyrantel pamoate is an effective, gentle, and reliable tool in your deworming arsenal. It’s usually part of your vet’s routine wellness care for puppies and kittens—but also useful for adult pets at risk. 🐾

Need help interpreting those "worms in poop" or staying on top of your pet’s deworming schedule? Download the Ask A Vet app or visit AskAVet.com for expert support and reminders tailored to your pet. 📱💚

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc