FIELD TRIALS OF A FORMULATION CONTAINING MOXIDECTIN AND 6-IN-1 VACCINES FOR SHEEP

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of a formulation containin g moxidectin and 6 in 1 vaccine in sheep under field conditions. Desig n Efficacy and safety study. Animals Two hundred and five crossbred Me rino lambs and two hundred and eight Merino ewes were used in the stud ies. Procedure A formulation was made for the simultaneous treatment o f sheep with moxidectin and immunisation against clostridial diseases and caseous lymphadenitis. The efficacy against nematodes, vaccine res ponse and safety were assessed. Results Effective control of nematodes and responses to antigens were achieved following subcutaneous admini stration. The formulation was safe to administer; occasional minor tis sue reactions were evident, but no other adverse effects of treatment were observed in either pregnant ewes or lambs, using either the recom mended dose, or an overdose of the formulation. Conclusion Administrat ion of a formulation containing moxidectin, five clostridial antigens and caseous lymphadenitis antigen proved safe and efficacious under fi eld conditions.