Twelve Holstein calves mere used to determine the prophylactic efficacy of ivermectin against challenge exposure with gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes. Two groups of 6 calves (mean body weight, 205 kg) each were formed by restricted randomization according to body weight. Group-l calves served as nonmedicated controls. Each calf of group 2 was orally given one prototype sustained-release bolus designed to deliver ivermectin at a continuous daily dose of 8 mg. Third-stage nematode infective larvae were given to the calves on posttreatment days 28 and 42. The calves were euthanatized 77 or 78 days after treatment. Ivermectin was 100% effective (P < 0.05) in preventing the establishment of infection by Haemonchus placei, Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia spp (C punctata, C oncophora, C surnabada), Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Dictyocaulus viviparus and was > 99% effective against Trichostrongylus axei. Incidental infection by Trichuris spp was reduced by 94% (P = 0.08).

The efficacy of a single dose of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg), in injectable or paste formulations, against microfilariae of Onchocerca cervicalis and associated skin lesions was evaluated in 20 naturally infected horses during midsummer months in Louisiana. All horses had clinical signs of dermatitis of the ventral midline and/or limbs, shoulders, thorax, and withers. Efficacy was monitored at 21, 42, and 63 days after treatment. Procedures done at these intervals included microfilarial counts of 6-mm skin biopsy specimens of affected ventral midline, grading of gross lesions, and photography and histologic assessment of ventral midline biopsy specimens. Microfilarial numbers were reduced to 0 by 21 days after treatment in all but one horse. Active lesions improved or were resolved completely by 63 days after treatment. Total inflammation, as judged by histologic methods, was reduced in all horses by 63 days after treatment, but there was a residual population of inflammatory cells in all horses. Adverse reactions after treatment were not observed in any of the horses.

In the first of 2 separate trials, the efficacy of febantel, given at a dosage of 5 mg/kg of body weight, was assessed in calves with 60-day experimentally induced Bunostomum phlebotomum infection. Ten calves were given febantel paste, and 10 were given the vehicle only. All 20 calves were necropsied 7 days after cessation of treatment. Compared with untreated calves, febantel-treated calves harbored 99.4% fewer nematodes. In the second trial, the efficacy of ivermectin, given as a paste formulation at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg, was assessed in calves with experimentally induced B phlebotomum infection. Ivermectin was given at 18 (n = 6) and 60 (n = 6) days after infection. At each treatment date, 3 additional calves were given vehicle only. At 67 days after infection, all calves were euthanatized. Efficacies of ivermectin against 18- and 60-day infections were 100 and 99.8%, respectively. Both anthelmintic preparations were easily administered, and adverse reactions were not observed.

Anthelmintic efficacies of fenbendazole, ivermectin, and levamisole were evaluated against naturally acquired infections of Nematodirus battus in lambs. Four groups of 10 lambs each were used. Oral administration of 8 mg of levamisole/kg of body weight or 5 mg of fenbendazole/kg significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the degree of infection by N battus (adults) by > 99%. An oral formulation of 200 microgram of ivermectin/kg was 98% effective (P < 0.01). Numbers of other Nematodirus spp (including N filicolis and N spathiger) were significantly reduced.