Field trials with nitroscanate against cestodes and nematodes in dogs

Clinical trials were carried out to test the safety and efficacy of the anthelmintic, nitroscanate, against naturally acquired helminth infections. The trials involved 418 dogs, of which 252 were treated with one or other of two different tablet formulations of nitroscanate. A coarse particle formulation given in two doses each of 200 mg per kg reduced the worm burden of Taenia spp and Dipylidium caninum by 100 per cent and Echinococcus granulosus by 94.1 per cent in farm dogs. Given as a single dose of 100 mg per kg this formulation reduced faecal worm egg counts by 95.3 per cent for Toxocara canis, 93.3 per cent for Toxascaris leonina and 99.1 per cent for Uncinaria stenocephala. A micronised formulation given in a single dose of 50 mg per kg caused a 97.9 per cent reduction in worm burden for Taenia spp and D caninum and 98.3 per cent reduction for E granulosus in foxhounds. The same formulation at this dosage gave reductions in faecal worm egg counts of 96.4 per cent for T canis and 100 per cent for T leonina and U stenocephala. Side-effects recorded were fewer than with piperazine and bunamidine.