Hoechst Roussel Vet announced today that FDA approval of a new use indication for its dewormer will help eliminate a persistent parasite problem. The FDA’s approval that Panacur (10% fedbendazole) Oral Paste can now treat all stages of encysted cyathostomes, or small strongyle larvae, means Panacur is the only deworming product that can make this claim in the equine health field (according to company literature). Panacur has already approved as a broad spectrum anthelmintic for use in horses.

“This approval provides a significant new tool for the veterinarian, since small strongyle larvae are becoming recognized as among the most difficult and damaging parasites now plaguing horses,” said Larry Ahlman, HR Vet Group Manager, companion animals. “With this new label indication, we believe Panacur Oral Paste will rapidly become the most comprehensive larvicidal treatment in equine medicine.”

Panacur (10% fenbendazole) Oral Paste has long been a leader in controlling large strongyles, small strongyles, pinworms, ascarids, and arteritis caused by the fourth-stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris. The FDA decision officially expands Panacur’s use to encysted early third-stage (hypobiotic) and late third-stage and fourth-stage cyathostome larvae.

This added indication will help veterinarians and horse owners control small strongyle larvae that can hibernate in a horse’s intestinal wall for years. There, they can resist common deworming procedures that may appear to be effective even to an expert. However, even in hibernation, small strongyle larvae in the intestine can seriously diminish a horse’s performance and appearance. And, when these parasites emerge from the hypobiotic stage, they can cause very severe damage to a horse, ranging from persistent weight loss and diarrhea to death. Until this FDA decision, there was no approved dewormer that could treat all stages of this potentially destructive condition