Ponazuril for Pets in 2025 🦠

Ponazuril is an effective, fast-acting treatment for coccidia infections in dogs, cats, and horses—especially when traditional treatments are too slow. I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and in this 2025 guide, I’ll explain how ponazuril works, its use in shelters and at home, and how it differs from other coccidia medications 🐶🐱🐴

🔬 What Is Ponazuril?

Ponazuril is an anti-protozoal medication used to treat intestinal coccidia infections. It differs from older medications (coccidiostats) because it kills the parasites outright instead of just preventing their reproduction.

📋 What It Treats

• 🦠 Coccidiosis (intestinal protozoa) in puppies, kittens, and shelter pets
• 🧠 Toxoplasmosis in cats
• 🧬 Neospora caninum infection in dogs
• 🐴 EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis) in horses (Marquis®)

💊 How It's Administered

• 📆 Most often given once daily for 3 to 7 days for intestinal coccidia
• 🧪 Longer courses (up to 1 month) may be required for toxoplasmosis or neosporosis
• ⚠️ Available as a 150 mg/g oral paste for horses
• 🐾 For small animals, compounded into liquid form for dosing accuracy

Compounded forms should be stored in the refrigerator unless instructed otherwise.

⚠️ Side Effects

Reported side effects are rare but may include:

• 🐴 Oral rash in horses (around the mouth)
• 🐕 Dry eye (KCS) in dogs—especially in breeds prone to tear gland issues
• 😟 General GI upset (nausea or loose stool)

📋 Concerns and Cautions

• ❄️ Store compounded ponazuril in the fridge
• 🚫 Do not double doses if one is missed
• 🔁 Incomplete courses may require full restart of treatment
• ❌ Not studied in pregnancy (not recommended)

Although widely used in shelters, ponazuril is not FDA-approved for small animals—its use in dogs and cats is extra-label but common.

🏥 Use in Shelters

Ponazuril is often given to puppies and kittens at intake to prevent or treat coccidia outbreaks, which can be life-threatening in crowded, high-risk environments.

💡 How It Compares to Traditional Coccidiostats

Traditional treatments (like sulfadimethoxine/Albon®):

• ⏱️ Slow down reproduction of coccidia
• 🧬 Rely on the pet's immune system to clear the infection
• 📆 Require longer courses (5–14 days)

Ponazuril:

• 💥 Kills coccidia directly
• 🕒 Works faster—often within 3–5 days
• 📋 May shorten illness duration and reduce environmental shedding

📲 Ask a Vet If...

• 🤒 Your puppy or kitten has persistent diarrhea that isn’t responding to standard meds
• 🧪 Your vet suspects toxoplasmosis or Neospora infection
• 🐴 You're treating EPM in a horse and need help with the dosing plan

Use the Ask A Vet app to speak directly with a licensed veterinarian for dosing guidance, storage tips, and refill planning 💬

✅ Summary

• ✔️ Ponazuril is a potent anti-coccidial agent for dogs, cats & horses
• ✔️ Especially helpful in shelter pets and young animals with coccidia
• ✔️ Must be compounded for use in small animals
• ⚠️ Keep refrigerated and complete full course
• ⚠️ Watch for dry eye and GI upset in sensitive breeds

With timely treatment, ponazuril can quickly clear coccidial infections and get your pet back to health 💛

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc