Anthelmintic activities of ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle

The anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin, a combined solution of the B1a and B1b fractions of avermectin, was assessed in a controlled trial. Twenty-four yearling calves experiencing naturally acquired, clinical gastrointestinal helminthiasis were evenly divided on the basis of weight into two 12-animal groups. The medicated group was given (subcutaneously) ivermectin at the dose rate of 200 microgram/kg of body weight. The control animals were given the vehicle alone, at an equivalent rate. All animals were killed 14 days later. At necropsy of the calves, gastrointestinal helminth arithmetic means were 178,626 and 575 for the control and the treated groups, respectively, an overall reduction of 99.7%. Nematodes which were present at substantial levels were Ostertagia ostertagi, O lyrata, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia punctate, C oncophora, C mcmasteri, and Oesophagostomum radiatum. Anthelmintic activity of ivermectin was excellent regardless of nematode species, sex, or stage of development.