EFFICACY OF MOXIDECTIN ORAL GEL AGAINST ONCHOCERCA-CERVICALIS-MICROFILARIAE

During a series of dose-titration experiments designed to evaluate the efficacy of moxidectin oral gel against equine gastrointestinal paras ites, infection with Onchocerca cervicalis was diagnosed in 25 of 82 p onies prior to treatment. Microfilariae were identified in full-thickn ess skin biopsies taken from the ventral midline. Treatment with moxid ectin in single doses of 300, 400, or 500 mu g/kg of body weight was 1 00% effective in eliminating microfilariae from 20 skin biopsies taken 14 days posttreatment, whereas 5 microfilaria-positive ponies in 2 co ntrol groups remained positive following placebo treatment. No adverse reaction was seen in any pony following treatment with moxidectin or the vehicle control.