Imidocarb dipropionate

What is this medication for?

• Babesia canis (FDA label); other Babesia species extra-label (B. gibsoni — reduces but may not eliminate carriage)
• Cytauxzoon felis combination protocols (extra-label, referral-level)

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

• into a vein = never (label prohibition); into a muscle/under the skin only.
• Babesia species split matters: B. canis responds to imidocarb; B. gibsoni needs combination therapy — PCR speciation guides expectations.
• Tick control completes the program (Rhipicephalus/vector transmission).

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Pain at injection (Most common)
• Cholinergic signs: salivation, nasal drip, brief vomiting, (horses: lacrimation/sweating 30 min) (Mild, transient)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Panting, diarrhea, restlessness, injection-site inflammation (rarely ulceration) (Less common)
• Liver enzyme elevations at 1.5× dose (Overdose-context)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Patients exposed to cholinesterase inhibitors (pyridostigmine etc.) or organophosphate pesticides — additive cholinergic load
• has or has had: Impaired pulmonary/hepatic/renal function; puppies/breeding animals

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Cholinesterase inhibitors, organophosphates/carbamate pesticides
  • Atropine

Storage and handling

into a muscle/under the skin only — into a vein administration prohibited; store per label; sharps handling.

Good to know

• The injection-day cholinergic show: drooling + runny nose for 30 minutes after the shot — warn the owner, it's expected, not an allergic reaction.
• into a vein = never (label prohibition); into a muscle/under the skin only.
• Babesia species split matters: B. canis responds to imidocarb; B. gibsoni needs combination therapy — PCR speciation guides expectations.
• Tick control completes the program (Rhipicephalus/vector transmission).