A COMPARISON OF TOPICAL, SUBCUTANEOUS AND ORAL ADMINISTRATIONS OF IVERMECTIN TO REINDEER

The topical administration of ivermectin to adult reindeer hinds was e valuated by comparing its antiparasitic efficacy at a dose of 500 mug/ kg bodyweight with that of oral administration at a dose of 200 mug/kg and subcutaneous administration at dosages of 20 and 200 mug. The com parison included faecal examinations for nematode eggs and larvae and the counting of warbles and throat bots (Oedemagena tarandi and Cephen omyia trompe larvae). Weight changes and calf birth weights were recor ded. All the treatments were 100 per cent effective against warbles an d all except the low subcutaneous dose (20 mug/kg) against throat bots . The anti-nematodal efficacy of the topically applied ivermectin, the orally administered drug and the low subcutaneous dose was inferior t o that of the subcutaneous dose of 200 mug/kg. There were no differenc es in weight changes between the groups.