Comparison of therapeutical efficacy of ivermectin and oxybendazole in treatment of draught Horses naturally infected with Gastrointestinal worms in mosul

Abstract

Twenty draught stallions, 4-10 years old, were used in this study. The horses were divided into two equal subgroups (10 horses for each) to compare the efficacy of a single dose of Ivermectin (oral paste), 0.2 mg/kg B.W., with a single dose of Oxibendazole (oral suspension), 10 mg/kg B.W. The parameters that used were EPG, RBCS, Hb and PCV pre- and post-treatment. Results indicated reduction in EPG to zero within 14 days after treatment with Ivermectin, while there were gradual reduction in EPG without complete absences of eggs after 21 days of treatment with Oxybendazole. Also there were increase of RBCS, Hb and PCV after 14 days of treatment with Ivermectin and after 21 days of treatment with Oxybendazole. Results of evaluation of therapeutic agents indicated that Ivermectin in a dose of 0.2 mg/kg B.W. given as oral paste as a single dose was more effective than Oxibendazole in a dose of 10 mg/kg B.W. given as oral suspension as a single dose in the treatment of draught horses affected with gastrointestinal and lung worms.