B. Remington et al., THE APPLICATION OF MOXIDECTIN FORMULATIONS FOR CONTROL OF THE CATTLE TICK (BOOPHILUS-MICROPLUS) UNDER QUEENSLAND FIELD CONDITIONS, Australian Veterinary Journal, 75(8), 1997, pp. 588-591
Objective To assess the control of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplu
s) and the performance of commercial cattle treated with the macrocyli
c lactone endectocide, moxidectin, formulated either as an injection o
r as a pour-on. Design Groups of 10-12 tick infested cattle were treat
ed with moxidectin injection, moxidectin pour-on or remained untreated
(28-day trials) or were treated with deltamethrin-ethion as a dip (14
0-day trials). The cattle were exposed to natural tick challenge under
field conditions. Procedure Tick numbers on trial cattle were recorde
d in each trial before the initial treatment and in the 28-day trials
at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days or in the 140-day trials, at 28-day intervals
before each of the treatments and at the final inspection. Body weigh
ts of the cattle were also recorded prior to the initial treatment and
at the termination of each trial. Cattle were observed on the day of
each treatment and at each inspection for evidence of any reactions to
treatment. Results 28-day trials: Significant reductions in tick coun
ts were recorded in both treatment groups when compared with cattle in
the untreated group, Weight advantage was recorded in the moxidectin
treated groups. 140-day trials: All three treatments resulted in zero
or low tick counts al each inspection with the exception of the pour-o
n treatment at week 8 in one trial and week 9 in the other trial. Addi
tional weight gain was recorded far both the moxidectin treated groups
, relative to the deltamethrin-ethion dip groups, but was significant
only for the pour-on groups. There was no evidence of any local or sys
temic adverse reaction in any treated cattle in any trial. Conclusion
Good to excellent control of the cattle tick (Boophilus micropius) was
demonstrated with the moxidectin formulations in all trials, the inje
ction being particularly effective. An improved performance was record
ed in all trials in cattle treated with both moxidectin formulations w
hen compared with the untreated cattle and with cattle treated with th
e deltamethrin-ethion dip. There was no evidence of any local or syste
mic adverse reaction to treatment with either moxidectin formulation.