A comparison of the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ivermectin after spring and autumn treatments against Cyathostominae in horses.

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ivermectin against Cyathostominae infections and to describe the drug's pharmacokinetic parameters during two seasonal deworming treatments in horses. The study was performed on warm-blooded mares aged 3-12 years weighing 450-550 kg. A single bolus of an oral paste formulation of ivermectin was administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg BW in spring and autumn. Fecal samples were tested before treatment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 days after treatment. Ivermectin concentrations in blood samples collected before treatment, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after treatment, and 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 75 days after drug administration were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Drug absorption was significantly (p<0.05) slower (tmax: 21.89±11.43 h) in autumn than in spring (tmax: 9.78±8.97 h). Maximum concentrations (Cmax) of ivermectin in the blood plasma of individual horses (8.40-43.08 ng/ml) were observed 2-24 h after drug administration during the spring treatment and 2-36 h (6.43-24.86 ng/ml) after administration during the autumn treatment. Significantly higher (p<0.05) ivermectin concentrations were found during the first 4 hours after administration in spring in comparison with those determined after the autumn treatment. The administration of the recommended dose of ivermectin resulted in 100% elimination of parasitic eggs from feces in spring and autumn treatment.

Biochemical parameters in Japanese quails Coturnix coturnix japonica infected with coccidia and treated with Toltrazuril.

The activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, albumin and cholesterol levels were determined in the blood serum of Japanese quails infected with coccidia and treated with Baycox (active ingredient: toltrazuril). Lower levels of AST and ALT activity were noted in treated birds regardless of the applied Baycox dose. The biochemical changes observed in the blood serum of Japanese quails point to coccidia-induced damage of digestive system tissues despite an absence of pronounced clinical symptoms. Significantly lower levels of AST activity and higher levels of LDH activity in treated birds indicate that coccidiosis treatment with toltrazuril contributed to the regeneration of digestive system tissues. An insignificant increase in cholesterol levels was noted, whereas the other serum biochemical parameters remained within the reference ranges.

Toltrazuril (Baycox) treatment against coccidiosis caused by Eimeria sp. in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Coccidiosis is the most predominant parasitic disease affecting Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in commercial farms. Coccidiosis as a subclinical infection is difficult to diagnose without parasitological examinations. Oocysts of two Eimeria species, E. bateri and E. tsunodai, were determined in the analysed quail flock. Infected birds were administered Baycox 2.5% at the dose of: group I--7 mg toltrazuril/kg BW per day provided in drinking water (1.5 ml/0.5 1 H2O) that was available 24 h for 2 days, group II--14 mg/kg BW (3 ml/0.5 1 H2O), and group III-- 24.5 mg/kg BW (5 ml/0.5 1 H2O); in groups II and III, the solutions were available 8 h/24 h for 2 days. After the first day of the treatment, the number of excreted oocysts (OPG - oocysts per gram) increased, a steady decrease in oocyst counts began on the second day of Baycox administration and lasted until a three-day period when no oocyst were determined in faecal samples. Regardless of the dose applied, toltrazuril (Baycox) completely eliminated E. bateri coccidia and led to a highly significant reduction in the number of E. tsunodai oocysts. The results suggest that the effectiveness of toltrazuril varies depending on coccidia species and developmental stages of the parasite. From the clinical point of view, the treatment applied significantly reduces the number of coccidia oocysts in commercial flocks of Japanese quails.

Fertility after fetotomy: a clinical study focusing on heavy draft mares.

Although fetotomy is recommended for all mares when the fetus is dead and difficult to extract, little has been written about fetotomy and heavy draft mares. This lack includes indications for fetotomy in heavy draft mares, differences in treatment and prognosis of heavy mares kept by farmers of low socioeconomic status, and how this procedure affects the mare's further fertility. The literature on mares, in general, also differs on the survival rate of mares that undergo fetotomy, the prevalence of postpartum complications, and further fertility. To answer these questions, we reviewed the medical records of 102 mares that underwent fetotomy, mostly heavy draft mares (n=93). Head malposture (62.7 per cent) was the most common fetal maldisposition, which required fetotomy in all cases. The survival rate was 84.3 per cent (n=86). The most common postpartum complications were endometritis puerperalis (32.5 per cent) and retained placenta (27.9 per cent). 61 mares (70.9 per cent) both showed foal heat and cycled regularly in the first season after fetotomy. Out of 45 mares that were bred in the first season, 14 became pregnant (31.1 per cent). Survival rate and further fertility were reduced by delayed requests for veterinary assistance due to the difficult economic situation of the owners. Fetotomy is the method of choice for serious maldispositions, especially head malpostures, because in contrast with cesarean sections, it has a higher survival rate and allows the mare to return to breeding in the same season.

Treatment of cyathostominosis with ivermectin and its influence on selected blood biochemical parameters.

Infections caused by nematodes of the subfamily Cyathostominae affect nearly 100% of pastured horses. Despite of an absence of pronounced symptoms, cyathostominosis can have very serious health consequences. The aim of this study was to monitor changes in total protein levels and concentrations of selected microelements and macroelements in the blood of horses before and after ivermectin treatment. In healthy horses infected by the studied parasites, total blood protein levels were below the physiological norm, but iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were within normal limits. Ivermectin treatment reduced the number of excreted parasite eggs (FEC) by 100%, and dead parasites were observed in feces. Decreased iron (Fe) concentrations and an insignificant increase in total blood protein levels were reported. A progressive decline in iron levels was observed when parasite eggs reappeared in feces 60 days after treatment. Iron loss takes place as a result of bleeding from the large intestine when adult nematodes affected by the drug are removed from intestine and fourth-stage larvae leave parasitic nodules in the intestinal wall. A drop in iron levels could be an indirect indicator of the severity of cyathostominosis.

Modulation of specific biochemical blood parameters by helminth infection in laboratory Beagle dogs.

The objective of this study was to examine the independent effect of helminths infection on biochemical blood parameters in Beagles intended for laboratory use which may contribute to a change of experimental results. As a result of research, the authors confirmed the negative effect of helminth invasion on the metabolism of the liver and kidney in laboratory dogs. Stool samples from thirty Beagle puppies were examined for parasites before the puppies were moved to the animal facility, and all were dewormed with Vetminth paste on the day they were moved. Stool examination was performed three more times and animals were given Drontal Plus flavor (Bayer) and Baycox 5% (Bayer). A fourth parasitological examination revealed no intestinal parasites in the feces. Three blood biochemical tests were performed. Experimental results clearly indicate the significant impact of intestinal parasites in dogs used in experiments.

Clinical, hormonal and ultrasonograph approaches to diagnosing cryptorchidism in horses.

Cryptorchidism is a partial or total failure of testicular descent. For a proper diagnosis different methods are required. The main aim of this study was to compare different diagnostic methods. Sixty two horses (15 stallions, 32 cryptorchids and 15 geldings) were used in the experiment. They were clinically examined and ultrasonography was used to locate the testes. Blood samples were taken from the animals to measure the plasma level of testosterone and total estrogen (RIA method). In 22 horses suspected of cryptorchidism, the hCG stimulation test was performed. Blood samples were taken every 20 minutes for 8 hours and then 24 and 48 hours after injection. Clinical examination had a 60% success rate in detecting superficial and profound canal cryptorchids. Inguinal ultrasonography had a 100% rate of detection when the retained testes were in the area of the internal or external inguinal ring. The rate of detection with abdominal cryptorchids was 72.7%. The highest levels of testosterone were found in stallions' blood (2.3 ng/ml), they were lower in cryptorchids (0.68 ng/ml) and lowest in geldings (0.15 ng/ml). Total estrogen levels revealed a similar tendency (respectively: 395 pg/ml, 228 pg/ml and 26 pg/ml). Administration of hCG usually increased the level of testosterone from 0.68 ng/ml to 1.05 ng/ml 60 minutes after injection. We found that to successfully diagnose cryptorchids in veterinary practice a combination of clinical, ultrasonographic and hormonal examinations should be used.