Wormers!

[Rothievale]

Anyone got any opinion of wormers? Good and bad and cheapest place to get them? I try and use different ones with different ingredients so a resistance is not built up but not sure if that's rubbish or not? Anyone had any experience of cesteem?

[vicky payne]

There is no evidence of resistance to wormers (yet) in dogs so don't worry about chopping and changing. Stick to POM-VPS products (those sold by vets, pharmacists and SQPs) rather than off the shelf products. Despite the varied names most of these are praziquantel, pyrantel, febantel combinations. The main different wormer is a mibelmycin/praziquantel combo and has the advantage of dealing with lungworm (if used monthly) but it is a POM-V (vet only).

[PrairieBoy]

There may be no evidence at this moment, of resistance to wormers, however I have knowledge of a professor who moved from the University of Glasgow to the University of Calgary, Canada to do research on this very subject.
Furthermore, a couple years ago I requested pricing from a vet clinic on a worm med and was told they don't use it because of some resistance to it.
I expect evidence to be forthcoming in the near future.

[big mac]

Always find Drontal plus works well!!

[Breezybrook]

Nothing wrong with Cestem, it's the same as Drontal.
I usually buy from internet chemists, either Drontal. Cestem or Pro-Wormer whichever has the best offer on it at the time.

[Rothievale]

Anyone tried a natural alternative to wormers?

[Naj]

Years ago I knew a guy who used to shove a plug of tobacco down their throats - wouldn't recommend it!!!

[devonvale]

i use 'special grade' diatomaceous earth, works for me, www.multi-mite.com

[vicky payne]

I'm not totally convinced by the natural wormers TBH (and yes I am a veterinary herbalist!). Vermex is marketed as a wormer but contains no herbs with vermicidal properties. What i think it does do is improve gut health making a worm infestation less likely. I would use in healthy, low risk dogs but would not recommend it for clearing a worm problem.
Proper herbal vermicides are quite nasty things! They are toxic to the worms at low doses, but usually toxic to the dog at higher doses. They can cause cramps and diarrhoea and many of them are also aboritfacient so not advised for pregnant animals.
DE is often cited but I have concerns over the safety of this product if inhaled (being basically a super fine dust). I would like to see more safety data on this product before recommending it.

[vicky payne]

The best 'alternative' is faecal testing as worming is not always required!