Activity of levamisole (l form of tetramisole) in control of nematode parasites and body weight gains of feedlot cattle
Ciordia, H.; Mccampbell, H.C.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 32(4): 545-550
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 5110115 Document Number: 40780
In three experiments, naturally infected steers of beef breeds and crosses representative of the region of Georgia were given 8 mg/kg doses of levamisole. There were no signs of intoxication. In experiments 1 and 2, the dose was given by drenching. Faecal egg counts tended to decrease in both treated and control steers, probably owing to concentrate-feeding and prevention of re-infection. Treatment helped to reduce faecal egg counts, though in experiment 1 the P.M. worm burden was similar in treated and control steers. Weight gains were better in treated steers for a period of up to 66-91 days (though this was not statistically significant in experiment 1), but not longer, even when, as in experiment 2, the dose was repeated at 91 days. In experiment 3, the dose was given as pellets top-dressed on a feed supplement. Four days later, P.M. examinations showed that O. ostertagi, T. axei, Cooperia spp. and certain other nematodes were reduced or eliminated, but that the drug was not effective against tapeworms, and only 67% effective against C. oncophora.