The efficacy of a pour-on formulation of moxidectin in young red and wapiti-hybrid deer

Abstract

Aims. To measure the efficacy of a pour-on formulation of moxidectin against lungworm and abomasal parasites in weaner wapiti x red deer and to compare this with its efficacy in weaner red deer.

Methods. Six red and six wapiti hybrid deer, naturally infected with lungworm and gastro-intestinal parasites, were treated with pour-on moxidectin at 500 μg/kg body weight and slaughtered 14 or 16 days later, along with six red1 and six wapiti hybrid untreated control deer. Total worm counts were performed on the lungs, abomasum and abomasal digest of each deer.

Results. The efficacy of moxidectin pour-on was 100% against adult and immature lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) in red deer, and 100% and 99.7% effective against adult and immature lungworm in wapiti hybrid deer. The efficacy of moxidectin pour-on was 100, 100, 99.9 and 99.9% respectively against adult, fifth stage, late fourth stage and early fourth stage larvae of Ostertagia-type nematodes (assumed to be Ostertagia, Spiculopteragia, Skrjabinagia and Apteragia spp.) in both red and wapiti hybrid deer.

Conclusions. The pour-on formulation of moxidectin, at 500 μg/kg body weight, is highly effective against mature and immature lungworms and abomasal nematodes in wapiti hybrid deer and equally effective in red deer.

KEY WORDS:

• Red deer
• wapiti × red hybrid deer
• moxidectin pour-on
• anthelmintic