How often should I give my cat Profender?

How Often Should You Apply Profender to Your Cat?

Caring for your cat's health includes consistent deworming to prevent internal parasites. Profender is an FDA-approved, topical deworming solution designed specifically for cats and kittens. It treats and controls hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm infections. Understanding how often to apply this medication is crucial to maintaining your cat’s parasitic defense without overmedicating.

When and How Often to Use Profender

Profender is administered as a single topical dose. If your cat is at risk of re-exposure to parasites—such as by going outside, hunting, or living in a multi-pet household—it may need another dose. According to the manufacturer:

• One dose is typically sufficient to eliminate current intestinal worms.
• If re-infection occurs, another dose can be reapplied after 30 days.
• Veterinary guidance is essential to determine the right dosing schedule for your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risks.

How Profender Works

Profender contains emodepside and praziquantel. These active ingredients work as follows:

• Emodepside targets and paralyzes roundworms and hookworms at various life stages.
• Praziquantel disrupts the protective outer layer of tapeworms, leading to their breakdown within the cat’s digestive system.

The solution is absorbed through the cat's skin and acts systemically, eliminating parasites within the body efficiently.

Application Guidelines

Proper application is important for safety and effectiveness. Follow these steps:

1. Select the correct tube size for your cat’s weight: Small (2.2–5.5 lbs), Medium (5.5–11 lbs), Large (11–17.6 lbs). Over 17.6 lbs requires a combination of tubes.
2. Open the tube by removing the cap and using the reverse side to puncture the seal.
3. Part the fur at the base of the neck until skin is visible.
4. Apply entire contents directly to the skin and allow it to dry completely.

Ensure the cat does not lick the application site until it's dry, typically within an hour. In multiple-pet households, it is best to separate cats temporarily to prevent them from grooming each other’s application sites.

What Does Profender Treat?

Profender is effective against:

• Hookworms: Ancylostoma tubaeforme (adults, immature adults, and fourth-stage larvae)
• Roundworms: Toxocara cati (adults and fourth-stage larvae)
• Tapeworms: Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis (adults)

Its success against both adult and immature stages makes it a powerful option for thorough parasite control.

Safety Considerations and Side Effects

While Profender is generally safe, follow these precautions:

• Only use on cats aged 8 weeks or older and weighing at least 2.2 lbs.
• Not approved for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats.
• Do not apply to broken skin or wet fur.
• Avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
• People with sensitivities or pregnant women should wear gloves during application.

Potential side effects include:

• Excessive grooming or scratching
• Salivation or vomiting if ingested orally
• Mild lethargy or agitation
• Hair loss at the application site
• Diarrhea or respiratory irritation (rare)

These symptoms are generally self-limiting, but consult a veterinarian if they persist or worsen.

Storage and Handling

Store Profender below 77°F (25°C) and protect from freezing. Keep in its original packaging and out of reach of children. Dispose of used tubes responsibly.

Veterinary Consultation Is Key

Profender is a prescription-only medication. Cats should undergo a routine veterinary exam and fecal testing at least once a year. Your vet may advise more frequent deworming if your cat has high exposure to infectious environments or lives with other pets.

Consistent and proper use of Profender helps reduce risk not only to your cat but also protects humans in the household from zoonotic infections. Children are particularly vulnerable to parasites transmitted from animals through contaminated soil or surfaces.

In Conclusion

Profender offers an easy and effective way to protect cats from internal parasites. Most cats will only need one dose at a time, but a 30-day interval allows safe reapplication if necessary. By combining correct usage with veterinary oversight, you ensure the best protection for your pet.