Comparison of the anthelmintic efficacy of oxfendazole or ivermectin administered orally and ivermectin administered subcutaneously to sheep during the periparturient period

The suppression of nematode egg output in faeces was measured in ewes treated just before lambing with either oxfendazole or ivermectin by oral drench or with ivermectin by subcutaneous injection. Ivermectin and oxfendazole given orally were similarly effective, whereas ivermectin given by subcutaneous injection extended the period of suppressed egg output by about one week. The more persistent anthelmintic effect of ivermectin given subcutaneously was probably due to its extended half-life in the plasma of treated sheep. Plasma pepsinogen activity was less in the sheep given anthelmintic than in the untreated controls. Ivermectin caused a significantly greater reduction in pepsinogen activity than oxfendazole and was more effective when given subcutaneously than when given orally.