AllDogBoots | 08-07-2010 04:37 AM | as per: Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor®)
# Uses of Milbemycin
# Milbemycin is used to control hookworm, roundworm, and certain whipworm infections in dogs and cats. The drug is also a highly effective preventative of canine heartworm disease and feline heartworm disease.
# Veterinarians use milbemycin in an extra-label manner to treat and control demodectic mange infections.
# Milbemycin is a potent microfilariacidal drug, meaning it can kill the microscopic offspring of heartworms. Microfilaria circulate in the blood of infected dogs and are typically treated after killing the adult heartworm parasite with another drug (melarsamine). Milbemycin is one of the drugs veterinarians use to kill the microfilaria as there are no drugs approved for this use by the FDA. This represents another extra-label use of this drug.
Precautions and Side Effects
# While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, milbemycin can cause side effects
in some animals.
# Milbemycin should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.
# Animals should be tested for heartworm infection before beginning prevention with milbemycin.
# Milbemycin should not be used in puppies under 4 weeks of age or kittens under 6 weeks of age. It should also not be used in dogs weighing less than 2 pounds or cats weighing less than 1.5 pounds.
# Few adverse effects have been reported. # There have been a few unconfirmed reports of seizures and nervous system effects following milbemycin administration.
# When used in an extra-label manner to kill heartworm microfilaria, the dog should be carefully observed for a shock-like reaction that may occur following administration. This generally involves hospitalizing the dog for the day of treatment so that supportive care can be administered if needed. This same shock-like reaction can be observed if milbemycin is administered as a heartworm preventative to a dog or cat harboring a mature heartworm infection. |