Effectiveness of several anthelmintics to control a Strongyloides sp. outbreak in Creole-de-Guadeloupe male kids aged 7 months

Abstract

Routine faecal examination of a herd of weaned male goats revealed heavy infections with gastrointestinal strongyles (GIS) and Strongyloides sp. Moxidectin (routinely dosed at 0.3 mg·kg^-1, i.e., 1.5 times the sheep dose), although fully effective against GIS, failed to control Strongyloides sp., with an estimated faecal egg count reduction (FECR) of only 55.5%. In addition, levamisole (11.25 mg·kg^-1) and ivermectin (0.3 mg·kg^-1) also failed to control Strongyloides sp., with FECRs of 1.4% and 53.5%, respectively. On the other hand, albendazole (7.5 mg·kg^-1) and netobimin (11.25 mg·kg^-1 and 22.5 mg·kg^-1) reduced by 96.3-99.9% the Strongyloides sp. faecal egg counts according to dose and remained effective, although, in the past, this drug family has been used extensively on the same farm and was no longer effective against GIS. Albendazole or netobimin at 3 times the dose for sheep may be effective for Strongyloides sp. control in case of severe infection.

Keywords: Anthelmintic resistance; Faecal egg count reduction test; Goats; Humid tropics; Strongyloides sp..