Imidocarb
Also known as: Imizol
> **Important**: This medication is administered exclusively by your veterinarian via injection. - **Purpose**: Imidocarb is used to treat serious, tick-borne blood parasite infections such as Babesia or Cytauxzoon. - **What to Expect**: The injection can be quite painful. Shortly after receiving the medication, your pet may experience drooling, a runny nose, panting, or brief episodes of vomiting. These are known, common reactions and usually pass quickly. - **Precautions**: Please inform your veterinarian immediately if your pet has recently been exposed to any flea/tick dips, pesticides, or is taking other medications (especially those affecting the nervous system), as these can increase the risk of severe side effects.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Cytauxzoon felis
- Cytauxzoon felis
- Feline hemoplasmosis (Mycoplasma haemofelis, M. haemominutum)
- Feline clinical ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis
- Treatment of large babesial species infection
- Babesiosis
- Equine piroplasmosis (Babesia caballi; Babesia equi)
- Equine piroplasmosis (Babesia caballi)
- Equine piroplasmosis (Babesia equi)
- Babesiosis
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis (Severe cases)
- Hepatozoonosis (H. canis)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Pain and inflammation at the injection site (rarely ulceration)
- Salivation/drooling
- Nasal drip/discharge
- Vomiting (usually brief)
- Panting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Lacrimation and sweating (horses)
- Severe renal tubular or hepatic necrosis (rare)
- Salivation (drooling)
- Vomiting
- Injection site inflammation (mild to severe, potential ulceration)
- Anaphylactoid reactions (reported in cattle)
Cautions & contraindications
- Intravenous (IV) administration
- Patients exposed to cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs
- Patients exposed to pesticides or certain chemicals
- > **Important Warnings** - **Do NOT administer intravenously (IV).** - **Premedication**: In cats, puppies, and debilitated dogs, pretreatment with an antimuscarinic agent (e.g., **atropine** or **glycopyrrolate**) is strongly advised to mitigate cholinergic side effects. - **Organ Dysfunction**: Use with caution in patients with impaired lung, hepatic, or renal function; weigh risks versus benefits. - **Species Sensitivities**: Donkeys appear to be particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of imidocarb. - **Reproductive Safety**: Safety in puppies, pregnant, lactating, or breeding animals has not been established.
Drug interactions
- Cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs (e.g., pyridostigmine): Increased risk of severe cholinergic toxicity; concurrent use is contraindicated.
- Pesticides and chemicals: May exacerbate cholinergic adverse effects and toxicity.
- Anticholinesterases: Increased risk of severe cholinergic toxicity
Frequently asked questions
What is Imidocarb used for in pets?
> **Important**: This medication is administered exclusively by your veterinarian via injection. - **Purpose**: Imidocarb is used to treat serious, tick-borne blood parasite infections such as Babesia or Cytauxzoon. - **What to Expect**: The injection can be quite painful. Shortly after receiving the medication, your pet may experience drooling, a runny nose, panting, or brief episodes of vomiting. These are known, common reactions and usually pass quickly. - **Precautions**: Please inform your veterinarian immediately if your pet has recently been exposed to any flea/tick dips, pesticides, or is taking other medications (especially those affecting the nervous system), as these can increase the risk of severe side effects.
Is Imidocarb safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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