The Effect of Oxfendazole Plus Oxyclozanide Paste and Tablet Formulations on Parasite Burden and Metabolic Status of Sheep

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of anthelmintic treatment with Oxyclozanid + Oxfendazole in different formulation (paste and tablet) on parasite load and metabolic status in sheep. Forty five sheep, infected with various gastrointestinal parasites and kept on a grazing flock, were evenly divided into 3 groups. Sheep in the control group did not receive any treatment. The sheep in the remaining groups received the same dose of Oxyclozanid (5 mg kg(-1) body weight) and Oxfendazole (13.5 mg kg(-1) body weight) in combination either as tablet or as paste. Faeces and blood samples were collected pre-treatment (day 0) and on day 14 post-treatment. Several gastrointestinal nematode parasites were detected in the faecal samples. Eggs PerGram (EPG) on days 0 and 14 were 100 +/- 18 and 78 +/- 8 in CG, 96 +/- 12 and 6 +/- 3 in TG and 76 +/- 9 and 2 +/- 2 in the PG, respectively. Serum total protein and globulin concentrations increased significantly (p<0.05) in CG and PG on day 14 compare to pre-treatment levels. In both sampling times total protein levels did not differ whereas a slight decrease in paste group and a significant decrease in tablet group were detected concerning globulin level, but no significant difference was detected between the tablet group and paste group on day 14 post-treatment. In paste group serum albumin level increased (p<0.05) on day 14 compare to baseline level. Compare to control group, albumin level slightly increased in tablet group, whereas it significantly increased in paste group on day 14 post-treatment. On day 14 in paste group Pi, Mg and Cu levels were higher (p<0.05) than the post-treatment levels of the remaining groups. A combination of Oxyclozanid+Oxfendazole is effective to eliminate parasite burden in sheep. Drug formulation does not have any influence on the metabolic status of the sheep.