Brand: SAFE-GUARD ® POWER-DOSE ® EQUINE DEWORMER (25G)

Company: MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH = MSD ANIMAL HEALTH


FORMULATION: «oral paste» in pre-charged syringes

ACTIVE INGREDIENT(S): fenbendazole: 10% (= 100 g/kg)

CHEMICAL CLASS of the active ingredient(s): benzimidazole


INDICATIONS

HORSES

PARASITES CONTROLLED* (spectrum of activity)

* Country-specific differences may apply: read the product label.

  • Control of large strongyles (Strongylus edentatus, Strongylus equinus, Strongylus vulgaris), encysted early third stage (hyobiotic), late third stage and fourth stage cyathostome larvae, small strongyles, pinworms (Oxyuris equis) ascarids (Parascaris equorum), and arteritis caused by fourth stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris in horses.

RECOMMENDED DOSE*

*Can be slightly different in some countries: read the product label!

  • 2.3 mg/lb (5 mg/kg) for the control of large strongyles, small strongyles, and pinworms.
  • One syringe will deworm a 1,100 lb horse.
  • For foals and weanlings (less than 18 months of age) where ascarids are a common problem, the recommended dose is 4.6 mg/lb (10 mg/kg); one syringe will deworm a 550 lb horse.
  • For control of encysted early third stage (hypobiotic), late third stage and fourth stage cyathostome larvae, and fourth stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris, the recommended dose is 4.6 mg/lb (10 mg/kg) daily for 5 consecutive days; administer one syringe for each 550 lbs body weight per day.


SAFETY

  • LD50 (acute oral) in rats: >5000 mg/kg (estimate calculated according to the WHO based on the LD50)
  • Estimated hazard class according to the WHO: not applicable for veterinary medicines

Suspected poisoning? Read the articles on fenbendazole safety in this site.

Withholding periods (=withdrawal times) for meat & milk (country-specific differences may apply: read the product label)

  • MEAT & OFFAL: US: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption
  • MILK: Do not use in mares producing milk for human consumption.

WARNING !!!: Never use on humans, dogs or cats

You may be interested in the following articles in this site dealing with the general safety of veterinary products:


RESISTANCE PREVENTION

Risk of resistance? YES

This means that if this product does not achieve the expected efficacy against the mentioned parasites, it may be due to resistance and not to incorrect use, which is usually the most frequent cause of product failure.

Alternative chemical classes/active ingredients to prevent resistance of gastrointestinal roundworms through product rotation:

These alternative products may not be available in all countries, or may not be available as oral pastes or gels.

Learn more about resistance and how it develops.


MARKETING

Are the active ingredients of this product ORIGINAL* or GENERICS**?

  • GENERICS

*Meaning that they are still patent protected and generics are not yet available
**Meaning that they have lost patent protection and may be acquired from manufacturers of generic active ingredients other than the holder of the original patent.

COUNTRIES where this product is marketed (maybe under another TM): US and many other countries, but maybe a different formulation.
GENERIC BRANDS available? YES, worldwide by the dozens

Click here to learn more about GENERIC vs. ORIGINAL drugs.


COMMENTS

This product is a classic oral paste dewormer for horses from MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH with original fenbendazole. It is basically the same as PANACUR PASTE 10%, just with a different trade name.

Fenbendazole is a veteran benzimidazole introduced in the 1970s (by HOECHST → INTERVET → MSD ANIMAL HEALTH) that is abundatly used in livestock an horses, moderately in pets. It is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic effective against roundworms in the gut and the lungs, but not against those in the skin. It is also ineffective against gastric bots (Gasterophilus spp) or whatever external parasites. At the recommended dose it is also ineffective against horse tapeworms (Anoplocephala spp).

Fenbendazole has no residual effect, i.e. it kills the parasites after administration but does not protect against reinfestations. In year-round control programs the recommended treatment interval is usually 4 to 6 weeks.

For an overview and a list of the most used oral paste & gel brands click here.


DISCLAIMER

This article IS NOT A PRODUCT LABEL. It offers complementary information that may be useful to veterinary professionals and users that are not familiar with veterinary antiparasitics. 

Information offered in this article has been extracted from publications issued by manufacturers, government agencies (e.g. EMEA, FDA, USDA, etc.) or in the scientific literature. No guarantee is given on its accuracy, integrity, sufficiency, actuality and opportunity, and any liability is denied. Read the site's DISCLAIMER.

In case of doubt contact the manufacturer or a veterinary professional.