Efficacy of ivermectin against Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae in naturally infected dogs.
Ivermectin, given in a single subcutaneous dose of 200 micrograms/kg, was evaluated for its efficacy against Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae in a trial with naturally infected dogs. Sodium thiacetarsamide (2.2 mg/kg) was administered twice daily for 2 days to 2 groups of 10 dogs. Two weeks later, 1 group was treated with ivermectin, and the other group was given the vehicle. Microfilariae were not detected (by blood sample concentration techniques) in 90% of the dogs 21 days after they were treated with ivermectin. Microfilariae were not detected in samples of any dog at days 28 and 35. However, 1 dog (not the one positive at day 21) had a detectable microfilaria at day 42. One dog with pretreatment ascites, exercise-induced cough, and high microfilaremial count was anorectic and depressed 2 days after treatment with ivermectin; the clinical signs were resolved 4 days later.
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005369:Filaricides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005370:Filarioidea / Q000187:drug effects*; D007559:Ivermectin; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000187:drug effects
D000871:Anthelmintics; D005369:Filaricides; D007783:Lactones; D007559:Ivermectin