The anthelmintic activity of mebendazole in horses

Abstract

An aqueous solution and granular formulation of mebendazole were tested for their anthelmintic activity in horses. Single doses of 1, 2 and 4 g removed 100% of Oxyuris equi, Strongylur spp. and Probstrnayria vivipara; 77.8-97.7% of the helminths of the genera Trichonema and Triodontophorus were removed with 1 g, 95.1-98.6% with 2 g and 97.9-99.4% with 4 g. The results of fecal examination and larval cultures demonstrated that 24 hours after the administration of the medication the viability of the eggs of the helminths was extremely low and after 48 hours no eggs were found. The safety margin of mebendazole is ample, a dose of 30 g (166 mg/kg) did not give symptoms of intoxication. The granular formulation for mixing in the ration was palatable and well accepted by the animals.