Effectiveness of levamisole® in the treatment of natural multiple helminth infection of ruminants in Zaria: A case report.

Abstract

Thirty four (34) ruminants were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital ABU, Zaria with the chief complaints of diarrhea and loss of weight. Laboratories examination revealed that the animals had multiple mixed helminthes infection. Faecal egg analysis showed infection rates of Haemonchus spp (82.4%); Trichosrongyloides spp, (75.5%); Strongyloides spp, (47.1%); Bonustonum spp, (44.1%); Cooperia spp, (32.4%); Oesophagustomum spp, (17.6%) and Toxocara spp, (5.9%). Animals were treated with levamisole hydrochloride at 7.5mg/kg body weight (b.w.) subcutaneously. After treatment, recovered eggs were cultured, larvae recovery was 75% with Bonustomum spp, 25%; Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongyloides spp and Cooperia spp represented 16.7% each. This study shows that levamisole hydrochloride is an effective drug against mix helminthes infection in ruminants.

Keywords: Mix helminthes infections, levamisole®, ruminants.

Tropical Veterinarian Vol. 24 (1 & 2) 2006: pp. 23-31