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Fenbendazole for Dogs: Get Rid of Intestinal Worms and Parasites

Catherine Barnette, DVMGhanasyam Bey, DVM
Published on December 12, 2024

Key takeaways:

  • Fenbendazole (Panacur, Panacur C) is an antiparasite medication for dogs that treats intestinal worms and other parasites, such as Giardia.

  • Fenbendazole is considered safe for most dogs, and side effects are rare. 

  • If your dog is prescribed fenbendazole, it’s given as a tablet, oral liquid, or as granules that are mixed into their food.

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A bulldog has an exam at the vet’s office.
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Does your dog have parasites? Common intestinal worms cause a variety of impacts in dogs, including vomiting and diarrhea. Some intestinal parasites suck blood, causing anemia. So it’s important to treat intestinal parasites with an effective dewormer, such as fenbendazole (Panacur, Panacur C).

This common medication treats a number of canine parasites. These include both common intestinal worms and uncommon parasitic infections. Fortunately, this is a safe medication with a low risk of side effects. 

Read on to learn more about fenbendazole for dogs. 

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Fenbendazole for dogs at a glance

Common names

Fenbendazole (Panacur, Panacur C)

What it treats

Intestinal parasites, including hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms

How it comes (forms)

Tablets, oral liquid, granules to mix in food

Common side effects

Nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea

What is fenbendazole for dogs, and how does it work?

Fenbendazole is an antiparasitic drug, which means it kills parasites. It affects a number of parasite cell functions, but it mostly blocks their energy production. When cells can no longer produce energy, they die. This causes the parasite to die. 

What is fenbendazole used for in dogs?

Fenbendazole is FDA-approved to treat many common intestinal parasites in dogs. It’s used as a dewormer for dogs with a variety of intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites treated with fenbendazole include:  

Veterinarians also use fenbendazole to treat less common dog parasites, such as: 

  • Lungworms

  • Tracheal worms

  • Bladder worms

  • Kidney worms 

The parasites on these lists are not the only ones that can be treated with fenbendazole. Veterinarians also use fenbendazole to treat other parasitic infections. If your dog has parasites, your veterinarian will decide if fenbendazole is an appropriate and effective treatment option. 

How is fenbendazole dosed and given to dogs?

Your veterinarian will determine the best fenbendazole dosage for your dog. This will be based on your dog’s weight and the specific parasite they’re being treated for. Some parasites require higher doses of fenbendazole, while others respond to low doses of fenbendazole. 

Fenbendazole comes in a number of forms, including: 

  • Tablets 

  • Liquid suspension taken by mouth

  • Granules that are mixed with food

Some parasites are treated with just two doses of fenbendazole, given 30 days apart. Other parasites need to be treated twice daily for several weeks. Your dog’s treatment plan will depend on the specific parasite that is causing their infection. 

Follow your veterinarian’s dosing instructions closely. This will maximize the likelihood of successful treatment while reducing the risk of side effects. 

What are the common side effects of fenbendazole in dogs?

Overall, fenbendazole is considered a very safe medication for dogs. Side effects are usually mild. Fenbendazole side effects may include: 

If your dog develops gastrointestinal (GI) signs while taking fenbendazole, contact your veterinarian for guidance. In some cases, GI signs are caused by a massive parasite die-off and not necessarily by the medication.

What are the most serious risks of fenbendazole for dogs?

In 12 reported cases, long-term use of fenbendazole caused bone marrow suppression in dogs. Bone marrow suppression causes dogs to become anemic and have low blood cell counts. 

Bone marrow suppression has only been seen in dogs receiving fenbendazole for an unusually long period of time. A typical course of fenbendazole will not affect your dog’s bone marrow.

Does fenbendazole interact with any other dog medications?

Fenbendazole does not interact with any other common canine medications. But it’s still best to make sure your veterinarian is aware of other medications your dog takes. These include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and nutritional supplements.

What should you do if your dog misses a dose of fenbendazole?

If you forget to give your dog a dose of fenbendazole, give the missed dose as soon as you remember.

But if it’s almost time for your dog’s next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your dog’s regular dosing schedule. Do not give them a double dose of fenbendazole.

The bottom line

Fenbendazole (Panacur, Panacur C) is a safe and effective antiparasite medication for dogs. Veterinarians use fenbendazole to treat a variety of parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Giardia, lungworms, and others. 

Follow your veterinarian’s dosing instructions closely when giving your dog fenbendazole. This will reduce the risk of side effects and increase its ability to get rid of your dog’s parasitic infection. If you see any side effects while your dog is taking fenbendazole, contact your veterinarian.  

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Why trust our experts?

Catherine Barnette, DVM
Catherine Barnette, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian with 14 years of experience providing preventive care, medical workups, and surgical services in a number of general veterinary practices. She also served on her county's board of health for several years and taught biology laboratories for college students.
Renée Fabian, MA
Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.
Ghanasyam Bey, DVM
Reviewed by:
Ghanasyam Bey, DVM
Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

References

Ballweber, L. R. (2018). Lungworm infection in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.  

Brooks, W. (2023). Fenbendazole (Panacur). Veterinary Partner.

View All References (6)

Brooks, W. (2023). Taenia species tapeworms in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Giardia and pets

Cohen, A. (n.d.). Roundworms. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.  

Merck Sharp & Dohme. (2024). Panacur- fenbendazole granule [package insert].

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Dear Veterinarian letter regarding adverse events associated with extra-label use of fenbendazole in dogs.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Supplemental New Animal Drug Application: Intervet Inc.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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