Efficacy of oxibendazole in the treatment and prophylaxis of worm infections in swine.

Abstract

The efficacy af oxibendazole (methyl 5n-propoxy-2 benzimidazole - carbamate) as an anthelmintic for swine was evaluated in animals harboring natural infections by Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum sp, Trichuris suis and Strongyloides ransomi. The prophylactic effect was conducted with A. suum, Oesaphagostomum sp, and Trichuris suis. The levels of the anthelmintic tested were 15 mg/kg body weight, 100 ppm (100 g of active per metric ton of feed) during six consecutive days and 15 ppm during 50 and 60 consecutive days, all treatments administered, in the feed. The results at necropsy showed an efficacy of 100% in the treatment of pigs naturally infected by A. suum and Oesophagostomum sp. The efficacy against T. suis was 74.5%, 80.4% and 100% for 15 mg/kg b.w., 15 ppm during 50 days, and 100 ppm during six days, respectively. All treatments eliminated fecal egg counts of S. ransomi. The administration of oxibendazole in the feed at 15 ppm reduced 95.5% of the egg output of Ascaris in the feces after five days of medication and had an ovicidal effect of 91.0% at that time. The low level anthelmintic in feed 15 ppm was 100% effective in preventing infections at different levels of challenge with A. suum and. Oesophagostomum sp. Eggs of T. suis were found in feces of pigs receiving medicated feed at 15 ppm but no worms were present at necropsy on the 60th day after medication.