The anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin, levamisole and albendazole against strongyle and tapeworm infections in sheep

Abstract

Abstract The biggest obstacles to the welfare and productivity of small ruminants worldwide are gastrointestinal tract parasite infections. These parasites have been controlled largely by chemical anthelmintics. However, these parasites have developed resistance to some of these anthelmintics. Unfortunately, Ghanaians are not aware of the exact level of resistance that these parasites have developed against the known anthelmintics. This study was conducted to determine the efficacies of albendazole, ivermectin and levamisole against strongyle and tapeworm infections in Sheep. Sixty (60) sheep were chosen at random and split equally into four groups: the first group received albendazole, the second group received ivermectin, the third group received levamisole, and the fourth group received distilled water. Faecal samples were directly collected from the rectum of each animal at Pre-treatment (Day0) and post-treatment (Day7 and Day14). The faecal samples were conveyed to the Spanish laboratory of the University for Development Studies, and analyzed using the modified McMaster method. At Day14 post-treatment, the fecal egg count reduction test and cure rate were used to determine the effectiveness of the anthelmintics. The efficacies of albendazole, ivermectin, and levamisole, were 86.2%, 89.8%, and 95.4%, respectively, against strongyles. Levamisole had 0% cure rate against tapeworm infection in sheep at day14 post-treatment. This study brought to light that, the strongyles in the study area are suspected of developing resistance to albendazole and ivermectin.