Procox oral suspension, 7.5 ml is an antiparasitic medicine for puppies and dogs. It contains two active ingredients: emodepside (0.9 mg per ml) against roundworms and toltrazuril (18 mg per ml) against coccidia — single-celled Isospora parasites that often cause diarrhoea in puppies. It's given once by syringe into the mouth at 0.5 ml per kg of body weight. It can be used in puppies from 2 weeks of age weighing at least 0.4 kg.
What it is and who makes it
Procox was developed by Bayer and the brand now belongs to Elanco. Its key difference from ordinary dewormer tablets is that it acts on coccidia (Isospora), which standard dewormers don't affect. That's why Procox is often used in breeding kennels and for shelter puppies, where coccidiosis is common.
Which parasites it targets
- Toxocara canis — adults, immature forms and L4 larvae.
- Hookworms: Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala.
- Isospora canis and Isospora ohioensis — the causes of coccidiosis.
Dosage
The minimum dose is 0.5 ml of suspension per kg of body weight. Examples from the instructions:
| Puppy weight, kg | Dose, ml |
|---|---|
| 0.4–0.6 | 0.3 |
| 0.8–1 | 0.5 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 5 | 2.5 |
| 10 | 5 |
Shake the bottle, draw up the dose with a disposable syringe and squeeze it into the puppy's mouth. It's given as a single dose; with a roundworm infection, treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Pros
- From 2 weeks. Suits the youngest puppies.
- Worms and coccidia at once. One treatment instead of two medicines.
- Liquid form. An exact syringe dose even for a 400 g puppy.
- Single dose. No multi-day course.
- Handy for litters. One bottle covers several puppies.
Cons and what to keep in mind
- Not for tapeworms. Tapeworms need a praziquantel product.
- Doesn't cure severe coccidiosis. Procox stops oocyst shedding, but marked illness needs veterinary treatment.
- Collies and their crosses. May be hypersensitive — use only under a vet's supervision.
- Not for pregnant dogs or during the first 2 weeks of lactation.
- Small volume. 7.5 ml covers 15 kg of body weight — poor value for a large adult dog.
- Shelf life after opening. 10 weeks, per the instructions.
What coccidiosis in puppies is
Coccidia (Isospora) are microscopic intestinal parasites. Puppies pick them up from their mother, in kennels and in exercise areas. Signs include watery diarrhoea, sometimes with mucus and blood, weakness, dehydration and poor weight gain. Oocysts survive well in the environment, so besides treating puppies, cleanliness, daily removal of faeces and dry bedding matter. If a young puppy has diarrhoea, see a vet: dehydration develops quickly.
Puppy deworming schedule
Typically, the first deworming is done at 2–3 weeks and repeated every 2 weeks until 8 weeks, then before each vaccination. A vet sets the exact schedule. After 3 months, you can move to broad-spectrum tablets such as Cestal Plus. More in worms in cats and dogs: prevention and puppy and kitten vaccinations.
Who it suits
Puppies from 2 weeks weighing at least 0.4 kg, kennel litters, shelter puppies, and puppies with unexplained diarrhoea after a vet check. What a puppy needs in its first days — see puppy shopping list; other products are in parasite control.
Verdict
Procox is a convenient suspension for the youngest puppies: it targets roundworms and coccidia, is dosed by syringe according to weight and given once. It doesn't work on tapeworms, and severe coccidiosis needs a vet.
How to give the suspension to a small puppy
Weigh the puppy on kitchen scales — with tiny puppies, accuracy to tens of grams matters. Draw up the dose with a needle-free syringe, hold the puppy, place the syringe tip in the corner of the mouth behind the canine and squeeze slowly, letting it swallow. Don't push it all in at once, so the puppy doesn't choke. If you're treating a whole litter, use a separate syringe for each puppy and keep track of who has been dosed.
Frequently Asked Questions
From what age can Procox be given?
From 2 weeks and at least 0.4 kg body weight.
What's the Procox dose?
0.5 ml per kg of body weight as a single dose.
Should it be repeated?
With a roundworm infection, after 14 days.
Can a pregnant dog have Procox?
No, it's contraindicated in pregnancy and during the first 2 weeks of lactation.
Does Procox work on flea tapeworm?
No, tapeworms need a different medicine.
How long does an opened bottle last?
10 weeks, per the instructions.
