Comparative evaluation of the anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin and levamizole of capillariasis in birds of prey (Falconidae, Accipitridae, Strigidae) kept in captivity

Abstract

Capillaries - parasitic nematodes of small size, filamentous shape, parasitic in all classes of vertebrates. The most commonly recorded capillariae species in diurnal birds of prey are Eucoleusdispar, a synonym of Capillariacontorta. The distribution of capillariid nematodes among birds of prey kept in captivity was studied in the Central Region of Russia. According to the results of the study, the total extent of invasion was 59.6%. (390 out of 654 individuals were invaded). Based on the results obtained, four equivalent groups of birds were formed for further study of the effectiveness of therapy, based on the use of ivermectin and levamizole at different doses, recommended by various authors. In all four groups, there were no clinical manifestation of the disease and during physical examination, the birds corresponded to conditionally clinically healthy birds, similar in appearance, age, and sex. Macrocyclic lactone-ivermectin, used intramuscularly once, has a pronounced therapeutic effect in capillariasis of birds of prey. The efficacy in two experimental groups that received 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg, respectively, was 100%, which was confirmed by repeated coprological studies, conducted on the 7th and 14th day after the drug was used. At the same time, we did not observe any side effects after use, which is the basis for the recommendation of ivermectin as the drug of choice for capillariasis of birds of prey. Levamizole, used at a dose of 40 mg/kg in the third experimental group of birds, also showed high therapeutic efficacy, but after application we encountered a number of side effects. Levamizole, used at a dose of 20 mg/kg, showed relatively low therapeutic efficacy.