Cats are fastidious groomers and they spend a great deal of time licking themselves. However, this can become a problem when you apply a topical solution like Profender to your cat. Most often than not, your cat will attempt to lick it off. In this article, get to know the possible effects and the measures to take if your cat comes in contact with Profender.
My cat licked Profender: Will it hurt my cat?
If your cat licked Profender, it will rarely lead to serious health issues. However, you should observe and monitor your cat. If you notice that she is salivating, vomiting, feeling drowsy, or experiencing tremors, take her to the nearest veterinary clinic for immediate treatment. Some cats may also experience diarrhea, but it usually clears up in a day or two.
If your cat won’t open her eyes, it could mean that a bit of the topical solution has gotten into the eyes and caused irritation. If this happens, take your cat to the emergency care department for treatment.
If your cat has an adverse reaction, she may have reacted to the active ingredients of Profender, emodepside and praziquantel.
What is Profender?
Profender is a topical solution for cats to treat and eliminate hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. It is applied to the skin. The solution enters the bloodstream and goes to the intestines to eradicate the parasites there. You have to obtain a prescription from your vet before you can use this product on your cat. It usually works in one dose, but if an additional dose is necessary, you should wait for at least a month before administering the second dose.
Cats that are more than eight weeks old and weigh more than 2.2 pounds can take the solution, but it should not be applied to younger cats. If your cat is pregnant or lactating, consult your vet first before using the solution on her. Cats that have allergic reactions to the solution’s active ingredients, emodepside and praziquantel, should be given other deworming medications.
Proper Application of Profender
Apply the solution to your cat’s skin, avoiding broken skin and wet fur. Make sure that you apply it at the back of the neck so the cat won’t be able to lick it. A powdery residue could be observed on the treatment site, but it is only temporary and not a cause of worry.
Administer the product just before you feed your cat or give it treats during the treatment. This will distract it and make the experience a positive one. It will also divert the cat’s attention so it will not attempt to lick the solution off.
Placing an Elizabethan collar on your cat’s neck is also effective in keeping your cat from licking the treated area. However, most cats won’t take to this collar easily. They may bang into walls, furniture, or your legs; some even won’t eat. It usually takes a few days before cats get used to having an Elizabethan collar around their neck.
Another variation is a firm collar that fits around the neck like a neck brace. It is based on the principle that a cat cannot lick its fur if it cannot turn his head and reach the treated area. The collar is not effective if the treated area is on the legs.
Possible side effects of Profender
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- lethargy
- eye and respiratory irritation
- agitation
The side effects should disappear after a short period, but if they persist after a day or two, consult your vet for a thorough checkup and treatment. Cats have different tolerance levels and the severity of the side effects could vary from one cat to another. Keep an eye on your cat after application of the solution so you can detect severe side effects easily.
Conclusion
Profender, a topical solution, is popularly used on cats to treat and eliminate parasites like tapeworms and roundworms. Cats may attempt to lick it off their fur after its application and when they groom themselves. There is no cause for worry since symptoms like drooling and drowsiness will easily pass and will not seriously hurt your cat. However, some cats may react differently. Keep an eye on your cat and take her to the nearest veterinary clinic if the symptoms persist.
Image: istockphoto.com / cyano66