The effect of moxidectin 0,1% vs ivermectin 0,08% on milk production in sheep naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection is one of the main constraints to sheep production both in temperate and tropical countries. Economic losses caused by GIN are related to decreased production, treatment costs and even animal death. The present paper was aimed at assessing the anthelmintic efficacy (based on faecal egg count reduction) of moxidectin and ivermectin both administered per os at dose rate of 0.2 mg/Kg body weight and the benefit of anthelmintic treatments on milk production in a commercial dairy sheep farms in central Italy whose animals were naturally infected by GIN.


RESULTS
The treatment with moxidectin was highly effective (> 98%) from day 7 until day 75, and effective (90-98%) until day 105. The treatment with ivermectin was highly effective (> 98%) from day 7 until day 14, effective (90-98%) at day 28 and moderately effective (80-89%) on day 45. The milk productions in the treated groups were significantly higher than those of the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that moxidectin and ivermectin administered per os according to the manufacturer's instructions were both effective and safe anthelmintics in sheep. The total milk production was higher in the treated groups than the control group. Overall, animals treated with moxidectin had a milk production 40.8% higher than control group; whereas animals treated with ivermectin had a milk production 32.2% higher than control group.
Cringoli
Giuseppe
G
Department of Pathology and Animal Health, Lab, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases-CREMOPAR Regione Campania, University of Naples Federico II,1 80137 Napoli, Italy. cringoli@unina.it
Veneziano
Vincenzo
V
Mezzino
Laura
L
Morgoglione
Mariaelena
M
Pennacchio
Saverio
S
Rinaldi
Laura
L
Salamina
Vincenzo
V
D000818:Animals; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018942:Macrolides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018942:Macrolides; D007559:Ivermectin; C027837:moxidectin