2008, Vol 3 No 1, Article 24

Anthelmintic Efficacy of Fenbendazole Feed Pellets Against Porcine Ascariasis

S. K. Maiti, S. K. Chaurasia and Neelesh Sharma*

Department of Livestock Production and Management,
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
Anjora, Durg-491 001 (Chhattisgarh State) INDIA

(* corresponding author)
Division of Veterinary Clinical Medicine & Jurisprudence,
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu,
R.S. Pura, Jammu-181 102 (Jammu and Kashmir) INDIA.
(e-mail: [email protected])

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to ascertain the efficacy of fenbendazole feed pellet against natural porcine ascariasis. Twenty middle Yorkshire pigs 7 to 12 months old, of either sex suffering from naturally infected ascaris infection were divided into two groups. Efficacy of the feed pellet was evaluated on the basis of EPG count of feacal sample of all treated animals before and after treatment. Fenbendazole  (7.5 mg/kg body weight)  feed pellet supplementation for two consecutive days showed 100% efficacy against ascariasis on 7th and 14th day after treatment. Result showed that the EPG count of treated group was reached zero (0) on day 7th post treatment. No apparent untoward effects of drug administration were noticed.

KEY WORDS

Pig, Ascariasis, Fenbendazole, Vetfen 600

INTRODUCTION

Ascariasis, the commonly prevalent helminthic infection of pig causes economic loss to pig industry due to digestive disturbances and poor growth. It also has public health significance (Lord and Bullock, 1982). The disease has an enormous significance in pig rearing as eggs of Ascaris sp. remain viable in soil for years together (Korkin, 1980). Perusal of literature from India provides little information about the use of fenbendazole in pellet form in India an easiest way of antihelminthic administration. Therefore, present study was undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of fenbendazole feed pellets against porcine ascariasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this study, 20 middle Yorkshire pigs of 7 to 12 months age of either sex weighing 30 to 40 kg and suffering from naturally acquired ascaris infection were selected from college piggery unit. The animals were randomly divided into two groups viz. A and B, each comprising 10 animals. Pigs of group A served as untreated control whereas pigs of group B were administered two fenbendazole 7.5 mg/kg body weight on two consecutive days in the form of feed pellets containing 600mg fenbendazole per gram (Vetfen 600^® - Indian Immunologicals Limited, Hyderabad, India). Eggs per gram (EPG) of feces were determined using Stoll’s dilution technique (Soulsby, 1982) before treatment (0 day) as well as on day 3, 7, and 14 post treatment to assess the parasitic load. The efficacy of the drug was evaluated on the basis of reduction or absence of eggs in the feces.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The result of Antihelminthic trials with fenbendazole feed pellet for two consecutive days showed 100% efficacy against Ascaris suum infections in pigs. The efficacy of fenbendazole feed pellet (Vetfen 600^®)in pigs naturally infected with Ascaris suum is presented in table 1. The mean EPG pretreatment of group B pigs was 2422±63.25 and it ranged between 2100 to 2620. On day 3 post treatment mean egg count reduced from 2422±63.25 to 766±28.72 per gram feces (Table 1). Ova were not detected in the feces of the pigs on 7th and 14th day post treatment and the EPG values reduced to zero (0). On the other hand in group A ,  ‘0’ day mean EPG was 2207±105.13 which increased to2285±110.68 and 2355±109.29 on 7th and 14th day of observation respectively. No symptoms that could be attributed to the drug as its side effects were apparent up to the end of the study. Batte et al. (1976) reported that fenbendazole @ 5 mg/kg body weight for 3 consecutive days was 100% effective against A. suum as compared to single dose of treatment. Bali and Singh (1979) evaluated the efficacy of fenbendazole @ 5-10 mg/kg body weight in naturally infected pigs and reported 100% efficacy. Stewart et al. (1981) also observed 100% effectiveness of drug when administered in the feed for 3 consecutive days. The observations of the present study are in agreement with those of previous workers. Vetfen 600^® a feed supplement containing fenbendazole is acceptable to animals because of its palatability and is an easy way of antihelminthic treatment.

REFERENCES

1. Batte, E. G., R. D., Mclamb and T.J., Vestal, 1976. In proceeding of 4th International pig Veterinary Society Congress, Ames., June 22-25, 1976. Ames Iowa USA. Helminthic Abstract, 1977. 54:4004.

2. Bali, M.K. and R.P., Singh, 1979. Haryana Agril. Univ. J. Res., 10:110.

3. Korkin, A.F., 1980. Veterinariya Moscow USSR No.13.

4. Kulkarni, D. and B.V., Rao, 1990. Indian Vet. J., 67:107.

5. Lord, W.D. and W.L., Bullock, 1982. New Eng. J. Med., 30:113.

6. Stewart, T.B., O.G., Martio and M., Hael, 1981. Am. J. Vet. Res., 42:1162.

7. Soulsby, E.J.L., 1982. Helminths, Arthropod and Protozoa of domesticated animals. 7th edn., Bailliere Tindal London.

Table 1. Mean eggs per gram (EPG) and percentage reduction of eggs treated with Fenbendazole (7.5 mg/kg body weight) feed pellets.