Control of haemochosis in Malaysian goats with closantel

Abstract

The therapeutic and prophylactic effects of closantel on natural infections with Haemonchus contortus were studied in goats in Peninsular Malaysia. Closantel was highly effective against H. contortus, either at a subcutatneous (s.c.) injection os 5.0 mg kg-1 body weight (100%), or in an oral drench mixture with mebendazole at a dose of 1.0 mg kg-1 (99.2%), as indicated by faetal egg counts. H. contortus larvae were absent from faecal culures for 5, 6 and 7 weeks following treatment with s.c. injections of closantel at doses of 2.5 mg kg-1, 5.0 mg kg-1 respectively, and for 6 weeks after treatment with closantel at 10.0 mg kg-1, given orally. Through its sustained activity, closatel not only prevented reinfection with H. cortortus but also caused a dramatic reduction of pasture contamination. The potential utility of closantel in the strategic control of haemonchosis in goats, and as an alternative treatment for benzimidazoles and levamisoles nad levamisole resistant H. contortus strains, is discussed. © 1994.