Comparative therapeutic effect of toltrazuril, sulphadimidine and amprolium on Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii given at different times following infection in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis).
We compared the therapeutic effect of three anticoccidial drugs (toltrazuril, sulphadimidine and amprolium) in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves experimentally infected with Eimeria bovis (E. bovis) and E. zuernii oocysts (3 x 104oocyst/calf). Buffalo calves (1.5-4 month old, 70-kg body weight) were randomly allocated into 3 groups (9 calves each). Group T was experimentally infected with oocysts and treated with toltrazuril (20 mg/kg BW twice orally at a 1-week interval). Group S was experimentally infected with oocysts and treated with sulphadimidine (125 mg/kg injected IM followed by half dose for 4 successive days). Group A was experimentally infected with oocysts and treated with amprolium (50 mg/kg orally for 7 successive days). Each group had three subgroups (three calves/subgroup) to represent timing of the drug administration: 1st day of coccidia infection (FD), onset of clinical signs of coccidiosis (CC), and onset of oocyst shedding into the faeces (OS). Clinical signs, body-weight gain (BWG) and number of oocysts per gram feces (OPG) were monitored daily for 35 days post-infection (DPI). The OPG were reduced (but the BWG was not different) in the T calves compared to S and A calves. Within the same group, treatment from the 1st day of infection reduced the OPG and increased the BWG compared to the later treatment timings.
Ghanem
Mohamed M
MM
Animal Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Egypt. dr.mohamedghanem@yahoo.com
Radwaan
Mervat E
ME
Moustafa
Abdel Moneim M
AM
Ebeid
Mohamed H
MH
D000670:Amprolium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003049:Coccidiostats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004539:Eimeria / Q000187:drug effects*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D013424:Sulfanilamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014227:Triazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015430:Weight Gain
D003049:Coccidiostats; D013424:Sulfanilamides; D014227:Triazines; C043086:sulfamethomidine; D000670:Amprolium; C036670:toltrazuril