Efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin against Otostrongylus circumlitus and Parafilaroides gymnurus in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina).
Verminous bronchopneumonia caused by infection with Otostrongylus circumlitus and Parafilaroides gymnurus is an important cause of death during the rehabilitation of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina). During the winter of 2000/01, 35 juvenile harbour seals with severe clinical signs of verminous bronchopneumonia were treated with either 0.2 mg/kg ivermectin orally or 0.2 mg/kg moxidectin subcutaneously, and monitored for 30 days. The efficacy of the anthelmintics was determined by the pattern of larval excretion (Baermannisation) and the progress of the clinical signs. Both anthelmintics had reduced larval excretion by at least 99 per cent after 10 days, but the seals' rapid breathing rate and and dyspnoea returned to normal more quickly in the animals treated with moxidectin. The pharmacokinetics of the anthelmintics were determined by solid-phase extraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Moxidectin had a mean (sd) residence time of 9.04 (2.12) days compared with 4.83 (1.14) days for ivermectin.
Vercruysse
J
J
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Salomez
A
A
Ulloa
A
A
Alvinerie
M
M
Osterhaus
A
A
Kuiken
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007814:Larva; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018942:Macrolides; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000469:parasitology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018942:Macrolides; D007559:Ivermectin; C027837:moxidectin