The efficacy of praziquantel against cestodes in cats, dogs and sheep.

Praziquantel is a new type of acylated isoquinoline-pyrazine. A single, low oral or subcutaneous dose of the compound is reliably effective against all tested juvenile and adult cestodes in cats, dogs and sheep. Praziquantel is the first cestodicide which is also effective on bile duct cestodes. In cats and dogs, 5 mg praziquantel per kg is completely effective on all stages of Taenia hydatigena, T pisiformis, T ovis, T taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides corti, Echinococcus multilocularis and E granulosus. Because of its very wide therapeutic index praziquantel is thus particularly suited for eradication programmes, eg, echinococcosis.