Comparative efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematode infection in horses

The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematode infection in horses. Total 21 faecal samples of adult horses were examined for presence of parasitic ova. Out of which, 12 samples were found positive for mixed and single infection of Strongylus spp. and Parascaris spp. These 12 positive horses were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first group (T1) was treated with single dose of ivermectin @ 0.2 mg/kg body weight orally. Second group (T2) was treated with single dose of moxidectin @ 0.4 mg/kg body weight orally. Both the drugs recorded 100% reduction in faecal egg count (FEC) on 14th day post-treatment. The study concluded that both drugs found effective and safe anthelmintic drugs in eliminating worm burden of Strongylus spp. and Parscaris spp. However, the FEC reduction by moxidectin was rapid than ivermectin against Strongylus spp. and Parscaris spp.