It is a very long time since I last had a litter so have become out of touch with this. A friend has asked me if it is ok to worm his bitch with Panacur. His vet has recommended the bitch is given a daily dose from two weeks before whelping and for up to a week afterwards.
I did use Panacur but that was way back in 1986 .... I suspect things have changed since then. Do any of you have any thoughts on the the use of Panacur or any other ideas about worming a pregnant bitch?

The protocol is daily from day 40 in whelp to two days post whelp at 0.5ml per kg (if using the 10% suspension)

I used Panacur 10% Suspension from day 40 until 2 days after the whelping.

Hi this is my first litter so the other answers are probably best to go with, but I went to the vet last week for a vet check on my pregnant bitch and asked him what wormer he would reccomened for a Cavilier and her pups (when born obviously lol), he gave me 30 sachets of 1g granofen (97p each = 29.10 pound) and suspension (2.5% at 14.98 pound the 100ml bottle).

He suggested the granofen granules because he said I can be sure that she has the right amount of wormeer for her weight (although I think this weas a case of just wanting more money but as its my firzst litter I will go with whats said so I know my girl is as healthy and safe as posssible.)

Personally I feel far too worried to worm a pregnant bitch so I don't. Only ever did with my first litter, not since, and I've not had a problem. Instead I worm around time of mating and then next time when pups are starting their worming programme at 3 weeks so mum and pups are all done. I stick to Drontal as I've heard too many horror stories of pups dying from Panacur.

The trouble is that the pregnancy hormones activate the encysted worms that routine worming don't affect. The bitch then effectively infects herself and passes worms to the unborn puppies.

As per Brainless and toffeecrisp, 40 days into pregnancy and up to 2 days after pregnancy.  The amount given is dependant upon the weight of the bitch - so there isn't a problem of over- or under-dosing.

I have used Panacur 10% for many years, and always dose during pregnancy - same as the others have stated.

I have always thought that pups become used to it while in the womb, as I have never had any sort of problems using it on the pups afterwards.

Can the pups only get worms if the mum has worms? Even if she is wormed before mating can the pups still have them? Just wondering as in  my own litter when worming they never passed any worms at the 2 weeks worming but a friends litter did. Whats likely to be the difference.

Bitches will have worms in encysted in there tissues.  These cannot be destroyed by worming. 

They sit inactive until the hormones of pregnancy activate them and they are then passed through the placenta to the developing puppies.

This is why Panacur is administered from day 40 (the stage they are passed on from) as it can kill these re-activated larva.  This is why these pups will be born with very low levels of worms up to 98%, which will give them a head start in life.

The worms they still do get will multiply, so the pups still need to be wormed, but their worm burden will be much less, and the larval stages will be dissolved in the guts, so you won't see evidence of them. 

Pups that are wormed and you see worms are very unlikely to have had Mum wormed during pregnancy, and have had time to have mature worms in their guts.

When you say from day 40, do you mean day 40 worm for the 3 consecutive days then again 2 days after whelp for the 3 consecutive days? Sorry if thts a thick question

No every day from day 40 to 2 days post whelp at  0.5ml per kg of bitches bodyweight, so 5ml per day for a 20kg bitch.

> When you say from day 40, do you mean day 40 worm for the 3 consecutive days then again 2 days after whelp for the 3 consecutive days? Sorry if thts a thick question

The 3 consecutive days that you are thinking of isn't the bitch regime.  It's the pup regime.  The Panacur box will have 3 different rates recommended.

The one dose only, which is an ordinary adult dose (not pregnant bitch dose)
The quarter daily dose from day 40 which is the pregnant bitch dose
And the 3 day course which is for pups

The dosing is quite clear on the box, you just need to ensure that you don't get them mixed up.

I'm with MarianneB on this. I worm my bitches as soon as they come in season and then they get done each time I worm her pups ie 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks then 1 month later then back to every three months.  The less amount of chemicals I put into mum when she is expecting, the better for me.  I use Drontal (or Cestem - same thing only cheaper now Drontal is off licence) and have done for years.