Efficacy of fenbendazole against migrating Ascaris suum larvae in pigs
Stewart, T.B.; Bidner, T.D.; Southern, L.L.; Simmons, L.A.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 45(5): 984-986
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 6732034 Document Number: 221855
Twenty-four weanling crossbred pigs were inoculated with 10 000 embryonated A. suum eggs. The infection was aborted in 1 group (8 pigs) with fenbendazole (3 mg/kg of body weight) given on days 2, 3, and 4 after infection and in a 2nd group (8 pigs) given fenbendazole at the same rate on days 6, 7, and 8 after infection; a 3rd group (8 pigs) was not treated with fenbendazole. All pigs were killed at 24 days after inoculation. Fenbendazole was 99% effective against A. suum larvae in the 2 treated groups. Pigs treated early had significantly higher daily weight gains and were 22% more efficient in feed conversion than were nontreated pigs. Lung weights increased linearly with length of exposure to migrating A. suum larvae. Liver weights were greater in treated pigs than in nontreated pigs. A negative correlation existed between the number of liver lesions and the liver weights of all pigs.