The prophylaxis of ovine fascioliasis by the strategic use of rafoxanide
Armour, J.; Corba, J.; Bruce, R.G.
Veterinary Record 92(4): 83-89
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 4693386 Document Number: 58005
During 1970 and 1971 the incidence of ovine fascioliasis in an endemic area was progressively and significantly reduced by the strategic use of rafoxanide. In both years two groups of ewes (25 in 1970, 35 in 1971) and their lambs were grazed from April until November on two separate fields, each with a previous history of severe fascioliasis. To reduce pasture contamination with Fasciola hepatica eggs during the period of maximum snail breeding in spring and early summer, rafoxanide, at 8-10 mg per kg bodyweight, was administered to one group of ewes at entry to the field at the end of April and six weeks later in early June; two further treatments were given in August and at the end of September, each immediately following the re-appearance of eggs in the faeces of the treated ewes. The ewes in the other field were treated with 5 ml carbon tetrachloride on the same dates. This treatment was highly successful as shown by the absence of fluke eggs in the faeces for periods of 4-8 weeks after treatment; a marked reduction in the percentage of infected snails; a 90% reduction of fluke burdens in permanent and tracer sheep when compared with those given carbon tetrachloride.