Ponazuril

What is this medication for?

• Coccidiosis (Isospora/Cystoisospora) — the standard small-animal use; Neospora, Toxoplasma potential

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.

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

• Loose feces (6× doses) (Dose-related stomach/intestinal)
• Rashes/hives/blisters, stomach/intestinal signs (Field-trial reports)
• Bitter taste (Compounded suspension acceptance issue)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ 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: Profile "not well established" outside horses — extra-label transparency with owners

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • None significant documented

Storage and handling

Equine paste (15% w/w paste = 150 mg/g) — compounding pharmacies divide for small animals; refrigerate compounded suspensions.

Good to know

• Coccidia game-changer: replaced the 7–20 day sulfadimethoxine regimens with a 1–3 day ponazuril course (or single 50 mg/kg dose) — the compliance differential is the whole story.
• Long half-life means short courses still work — steady accumulation does the killing.
• Don't forget the pen: oocysts survive in environment; treat the diarrhea AND clean it or re-infection recurs.