Comparative Efficacy of Different Anthelmintics in Treatment of Swamp Buffalo Naturally Infected with Gastro-Intestinal Parasites

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the comparative therapeutic efficacy of different anthelmintics like albendazole, levamisole, the combination of tetramizole and oxyclosanide; levamisole and triclabendazole against gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in buffalo. A total of 100 buffaloes naturally infected with GI parasites were selected from Sylhet region during 2015-16 and divided into 5 equal groups. 1 bolus Endokil®/80 kg body weight for Group A, 1 bolus Ralnex®/41-75 body weight kg for Group B, 1 bolus Levanid®/100-150 kg body weight for Group C, and 1 bolus Trilev®/75 Kg body weight for Group D were administrated per orally from 4 different renowned companies in Bangladesh. Buffalos of group E were kept as a control group. All the animals were evaluated for the intensity of infection before treatment (0 days) and after treatment (7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days). Fecal samples were collected and estimated eggs per gram of feces (EPG) by McMaster technique. Efficacy was calculated based on EPG after the use of anthelmintics. Among the four drugs, the highest efficacy was found with Trilev® (levamisole+triclabendazole) which reduced the EPG count to 87.61%. The lowest efficacy was found in the case of Endokil® (albendazole) which reduced the EPG count to 42.99% on the 28th day. From the findings, it was clear that the mean of the four drugs was dissimilar in efficacy, and thereby the Trilev® (levamisole+triclabendazole) performed better than the other three.