An Overview of

Anthelmintics
Dr Nisar Ahmad, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Parasitology
UVAS, Lahore

What is Deworming?
Sometimes known
asWormingorDrenching, is the giving of
anAnthelminticdrug (awormer,dewormer,
ordrench) to an animal

How Parasites Hurt Animals

Absorb digested nutrients
Suck blood
Cause mechanical obstruction
Destroy tissue
Secret toxins
Immune Suppression

Symptoms of Worm Infestation

Animal lacks vigor: Dull and depressed
Poor appetite
Loss of body weight
Diarrhea with mucus, blood or worms
Animal eats soil or other organic matters
Rough hair coat and anemia

Symptoms of Worm
Infestation

Diarrhea

Parasitic Infestation

Emaciation

Parasitic Infestation

Anemia

Submandibular Swelling

Risk Factors For Parasites

Warm Weather
2 inches of rain in a month
Pasture Grazing
High Stocking Rate
Thin Animals
Animal in Lactation
Long Residence on a Pasture

Classification
Four families of drugs for internal parasites
1. Benzimidazoles (white dewormers) Albendazole,
Fenbendazole, mebendazole, and Oxfendazole
2. Imidazothiazoles Pyrantel, Levamisole, and
Moratel
3. Macrolytic Lactones or Avermectins - Ivermectin
(Ivomec), Doramectin, and Moxidectin
4. Others- Praziquantel, Clorsulon, etc

Spectrum of Anthelmintics

Guideline for Anthelmintic

Dosages
Albendazole -20 mg/kg (Not in 1st trimester)
Fenbendazole- 10 mg/kg
Ivermectin- 0.4 mg/kg
Levamisole- 12 mg/kg
Moxidectin- 0.5 mg/kg

Mode of action of Avermectin

Ivermectin binds with high affinity to
glutamate-gated chloride channels which
occur in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells,
causing an increase in the permeability of the
cell membrane to chloride ions with hyper
polarization of the nerve or muscle cell. Hyper
polarization results in paralysis and death of
the parasite either directly or by causing the
worms to starve.

Avermectin

Mode of action of Benzimidazoles

Benzimidazoles selectively bind to
nematode -tubulin, thus preventing the
formation of microtubules and so
stopping cell division. Impaired uptake
of glucose, leading to depletion of
glycogen which causes the nematodes to
starve to death.

Mode of Action of Praziquantel

Praziquantel works by causing severe
spasms and paralysis of the worms'
muscles.This paralysis is accompanied
by a rapid Ca2+influx inside the
parasite. This influx of Ca results in
tetanic contractions of the parasitic
musculature and an intense vacuolation
of their integument.

Selection of a Dewormer
Animal being treated (calf vs. cow, beef vs. dairy)
Product efficacy
Ease of application
Broad Spectrum of control ( immature, mature,
inhibited)
Cost effectiveness
Slaughter/milk withdrawal time
Personal Safety

Deworming in sheep/goat
Sheep and goats are susceptible to worms due to
their close grazing behavior and slow-to-develop
immunity. Goats are more susceptible than sheep
when forced to graze (versus browse)
Lambs should be wormed at approximately 8 weeks of
age, and again every 4-8 weeks until a year of age.

Cont

Ewes should be wormed 2-4 weeks

before lambing to reduce the passage of
parasites to the lambs.
Does in early pregnancy (up to 2
months) should not be dewormed to
avoid abortion.
At least once per year, goats/sheep
should be dewormed for tapeworms

Cattle and Buffalo

Cattle can be infected by roundworms
(nematodes), tapeworms (cestodes) and flukes
(trematode)
Roundworms are considered the most
economically devastating internal parasites of
livestock
1. The barber pole worm (Haemonchus)
2. The small brown stomach worm
(Ostertagia)
3. Cooperia

 Internal parasites of lesser concern are

tapeworms and lungworms
Tapeworms, which are visible in the manure,
can cause weight loss and death in extreme
cases.
Tapeworms can be controlled by administering
an Anthelmintics from the benzimidazole
family

Commonly available Anthelmintics

Oxyclozanide, Oxfendazole
Cobalt and Selenium

Albandazole

Nitroxynil

Ivermectin

Cont
TRADE NAME

GENERIC NAME

Profax

(Oxfendazole)

Fasisym

(Triclabendazole)

Zanil

( Oxyclozanide)

Nilzan plus

(Levamisole + Oxyclozanide
+Selenium+ cobalt)

Characteristics of a Good Dewormer

Not Poisonous
Easy to administer
Effective for all stages of parasites
Economical
Effective for a longer period of time
Act specifically at the target site

Natural/Herbal Dewormer

Efficacy of a Dewormer
An effective dewormer will reduce
fecal counts by 95% 7-14 days after
administration.
Fecal Egg Count before deworming,
1,000 eggs per gram(EPG)
For example:10 days after deworming
200 EPG= 80% Fecal Egg Count
Reduction.

Anthelmintics Resistance
Drug resistance in parasites is extremely common.
The effectiveness of an Anthelmintics should always
be tested before being used.
Do not worm unnecessarily
Make sure you are giving the correct dose. Dont
overdose or under dose
Change the type of wormer used so you are using a
different type of drug to prevent resistance

ANY
QUESTIONS ?

THANKS