Some effects of imidocarb in goats

Clinically normal Nubian goats were given the antiprotozoal drug imidocarb at single intramuscular doses of 6, 12, 18 and 24 mg/kg, and the various clinical, biochemical and pathological manifestations were recorded. At a dose of 6 mg/kg the drug produced no change in any of the parameters studied. At higher doses, the drug produced dose dependent changes which included increased heart and respiratory rates, increased defaecation, urination, depression, incoordination of movement, weakness of the hindlegs, recumbency, and finally death. Just prior to death, there was a significant decrease in the number of erythrocytes, and in packed cell volume, and haemoglobin concentration. In plasma there was an increase in the activity of aspartate transaminase, urea and creatinine concentrations and inhibition of cholinesterase activity. The main histopathological changes were associated with hepatic and renal damage. Three goats were pre-treated with atropine sulphate (1 mg/animal) and after one hour given imidocarb intramuscularly at a dose of 12 mg/kg. The changes were similar but much less severe when compared with those in animals given imidocarb alone at the same dose.