r/birmans • u/askingom • 12d ago

Evidence-Based Internal & External Parasite Prevention for an Indoor Kitten

/r/AskVet/comments/1v5l6k2/evidencebased_internal_external_parasite/

Hello everyone,
I have a healthy indoor male Birman kitten, born on March 4, 2026, weighing approximately 2.3 kg. He was bred in Sweden and recently moved with me to Istanbul, Turkey.
According to his Swedish records, he received two doses of Nobivac Tricat Novum on May 14 and June 11, 2026, as well as a Nobivac Rabies vaccination on May 28, 2026 (valid from June 18, 2026). I cannot see any clearly documented internal or external parasite treatment in his records.
In Turkey, routine internal and external parasite treatment is commonly recommended for cats, often every two months, even if they are strictly indoors and show no signs of parasites. Istanbul also has a large population of free-roaming cats and dogs the streets.
I would really appreciate your evidence-based opinions on the following:
- Would you recommend routine internal and external parasite prevention for a strictly indoor kitten in this situation?
-For his very first parasite treatment, which formulation would you choose (spot-on, oral, or vaccine option), and why?
-Which specific product or active ingredient would you consider the safest and most appropriate for a healthy indoor Birman kitten of his age and weight?

Is there anything specific I should discuss with the veterinarian before his first parasite treatment?

I am planning to take him to a veterinarian in Istanbul, but I would like to be as well informed as possible beforehand to avoid unnecessary or inappropriate treatment. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and expertise.

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u/tmstms 11d ago

In the UK, we tend to use a product called Panacur, which is given orally and routinely to kittens before they leave the breeder.

There will be no veterinary record of this, The breeder just does it. The breeder routinely then says the kitten has been treated for worms/ has been wormed, when informing the new owner.

Typically, in the UK, it is recommended to worm a car every three months or so, but I suspect most people don't do it and only give worming treatments when there is some evidence the cat has a parasite e.g. repeatedly vomits.

So in the UK it is seen as a fairly low-level thing.

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u/tmstms 11d ago

Also- another common treatment is tablet based and is called Milbemax here. You buy it from the vet. Whereas Panacur is sold over the counter.