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.

Anthelmintic activity of artesunate against Fasciola hepatica in naturally infected sheep.

In light of rapidly spreading triclabendazole resistance alternative fasciocidal drugs are urgently needed. Following up on promising results obtained with artemether in Fasciola hepatica infected sheep, we here report the efficacy and safety of artesunate in sheep with a natural F. hepatica infection.

Evaluation of targeted selective treatments in sheep in Italy: effects on faecal worm egg count and milk production in four case studies.

The aim of the present paper was to assess the benefit of targeted selective treatments (TSTs) on milk production and faecal worm egg count, in four commercial dairy sheep farms in southern Italy where animals were exposed to natural infection with gastrointestinal (GI) strongyles. On each farm, three similar groups of 20 animals each were formed and randomly assigned to the following treatments: strategic prophylactic treatment (SPT) group, targeted selective treatment group, and control (C) group. The TST schemes used were different between farms with regard to the indicators for treatment (FAMACHA or faecal egg count (FEC) or milk production) and the timing of treatment (periparturient or postparturient).

Evaluation of the FAMACHA system for detecting the severity of anaemia in sheep from southern Italy.

Since it was first developed in South Africa, the FAMACHA system has been successfully tested in different geographic area where Haemonchus contortus is the major gastrointestinal (GI) strongyle species of sheep. The present study, the first on the use of the FAMACHA system in Italy, was aimed at obtaining a complete haematological profile in sheep with GI strongyle infection, in order to evaluate the validity of the FAMACHA system for detecting the severity of anaemia in sheep from southern Italy. Between April and September 2006, 793 blood and faecal samples were collected from 137 adult sheep of different local breeds of the Campania region (southern Italy).

Plasma and milk kinetic of eprinomectin and moxidectin in lactating water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The pharmacokinetics and mammary excretion of moxidectin and eprinomectin were determined in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) following topical administration of 0.5mgkg(-1). Following administration of moxidectin, plasma and milk concentrations of moxidectin increased to reach maximal concentrations (C(max)) of 5.