Understanding Profender for Cats: Uses, Application, and Safety
Profender is a prescription-only topical solution designed to treat and control intestinal parasites in cats. If you're a cat owner looking for an easy way to protect your feline friend from harmful worms, Profender might be just what you need. Let's explore how it works, how to use it safely, and why it's trusted by veterinarians.
How Profender Works
This medication combines two active ingredients: emodepside and praziquantel. Emodepside targets roundworms and hookworms by disrupting their neurotransmission, causing paralysis and death. Praziquantel attacks tapeworms by damaging their muscle integrity, which also leads to their demise. After application, these parasites are either expelled in the cat's feces or digested within the digestive tract.
What Parasites Does Profender Treat?
- Hookworms: Ancylostoma tubaeforme (adults, immature adults, fourth stage larvae)
- Roundworms: Toxocara cati (adults, fourth stage larvae)
- Tapeworms: Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis (adults)
This coverage makes Profender highly effective against both immature and mature stages of these common intestinal worms.
Why Choose a Topical Solution?
If your cat hates pills or oral medications, Profender offers a stress-free alternative. You simply apply it to the skin at the base of your cat's neck—no struggling or hiding medicine in food required.
How to Apply Profender
- Select the correct package based on your cat’s weight:
- Small: 2.2-5.5 lbs (0.35 mL)
- Medium: >5.5-11 lbs (0.70 mL)
- Large: >11-17.6 lbs (1.12 mL)
- Cats over 17.6 lbs: use an appropriate combination of tubes
- Remove one single-use tube from the package.
- Hold the tube upright and remove the cap.
- Turn the cap over, place it on the tip of the tube, twist to break the seal, then remove the cap again.
- Part the hair at the base of your cat’s neck until you see skin.
- Squeeze all contents directly onto the skin—don’t apply to broken or irritated skin or wet fur.
Avoid contact with your cat’s eyes or mouth and prevent licking at the application site for at least one hour after treatment.
Dosing Schedule
A single dose is usually enough to clear existing infections. If reinfection occurs (which can happen if your cat hunts or is exposed to contaminated environments), you can reapply Profender after 30 days—always consult your veterinarian before repeating treatment.
Storage Instructions
- Store at or below 77°F (25°C).
- Avoid moisture, light exposure, and freezing temperatures.
Safety Guidelines & Precautions
- Avoid use in kittens under 8 weeks old or weighing less than 2.2 lbs.
- Caution is advised in sick or debilitated cats; safety isn't established for breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats.
- If ingested orally by your pet (or a human), symptoms may include salivation, vomiting, tremors, or difficulty walking—seek veterinary care if this happens.
- Mild side effects after application can include licking, agitation, scratching, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, hair loss at application site, or diarrhea; most resolve on their own but contact your vet if severe reactions occur.
- Pediatric safety: Children should avoid contact with treated areas for at least 24 hours; pregnant individuals should use gloves when applying.
This product is not intended for human use—if accidental exposure occurs in people (especially ingestion), seek medical attention immediately.
Efficacy: How Fast Does It Work?
You'll typically see results within one to two days as worms are removed from your pet's system. Some owners notice worms in their cat’s stool afterward; others do not—that's normal either way. Most cats don’t need retreatment unless they’re reinfected later on.
The Risk of Parasites—and How Cats Get Them
- Eating eggs/larvae from contaminated soil/water/feces/prey (like rodents or birds)
- Biting fleas that carry tapeworm larvae
- Nursing from infected mothers (roundworm risk)
- Straight through skin penetration by hookworm larvae
Your indoor kitty isn’t immune—fleas or prey animals brought inside can still expose them to parasites!
Zoonotic Risks: Can Humans Catch Cat Parasites?
- Roundworms: People (especially children) may ingest eggs from contaminated soil; this can cause serious health problems including organ damage or blindness due to larva migrans.
- Hookworms: Larvae can penetrate human skin causing itchy rashes called cutaneous larva migrans.
- Tapeworms: Rarely infect humans but possible if an infected flea is accidentally swallowed.
This makes regular deworming important not just for pets but for family health too!
The Best Ways to Prevent Reinfection
- Scoop litter boxes daily and dispose of waste safely.
- If you have outdoor sandboxes for kids—keep them covered!
- Your vet should check stool samples regularly as part of routine exams.
- Treat all pets with parasite preventatives as recommended by your veterinarian—don't skip doses!
- Lather up: always wash hands thoroughly after handling pets or cleaning litter boxes.
The Bottom Line on Profender
This FDA-approved medication comes from Elanco Animal Health and is only available with a prescription in the United States. It's convenient for finicky cats who resist oral medications—and when used as directed under veterinary guidance—it’s both safe and highly effective at eliminating common intestinal worms so your feline friend stays healthy year-round!
