Skip to main content
Log in

The Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of Long-Term Low-Level and Split-Dose Administration of Albendazole Through In-Feed Formulations against Ovine and Caprine Parasitic Gastroenteritis

Veterinary Research Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Two trials were conducted against natural and experimentally induced parasitic gastroenteritis in sheep and goats using an in-feed formulation of albendazole to evaluate its therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy. In the first trial, albendazole was incorporated in feed pellets to deliver an average daily dose of 0.7 mg/kg body weight in order to evaluate its prophylactic efficacy. In the second trial, feed pellets were offered to deliver an average total dose of 8.0 mg/kg body weight in two equal split doses in order to evaluate its curative efficacy.

Sustained plasma concentrations of the active compound, albendazole sulphoxide, and its metabolite albendazole sulphone, sufficient to prevent establishment of infection, were achieved when the animals were allowed to feed on medicated pellets for 10 consecutive days. The bioavailability of the metabolites of albendazole following the administration of a therapeutic dose in two split doses of the in-feed formulation was sufficient to remove established adult nematodes. The concentrate feed pellets could be used for self-medicating small ruminants for therapeutic use as well as for prophylaxis based on their strategic use appropriate to the epidemiology of the parasitic disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Ali, D.N. and Hennessy, D.R., 1995. The effect of reduced feed intake on the efficacy of oxfendazole against benzimidazole resistant Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep. International Journal for Parasitology, 25, 71-74

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali, D.N., Hennessy, D.R. and Murphy, L., 1990. Standard operating procedure for the extraction and quantification of fenbendazole from a molasses urea block. Annual Report (1.2.1989 to 31.1.1990), Self Medication of Ruminants in Tethered Husbandry System, (ACIAR Project 8523)

  • Delatour, P., Benoit, E., Lechenet, J. and Besse, S., 1990. Pharmacokinetics in sheep and cattle of albendazole administered by an intraruminal slow release capsule. Research in Veterinary Science, 48, 271-275

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, B.S., 1996. Anthelmintic resistance in India. Veterinary Parasitology, 63, 173-176

    Google Scholar 

  • Gyurik, R.J., Chow, A.W., Zaber, B., Brunner, E.L., Miller, J.A., Villani, A.J., Petka, L.A. and Parish, R.C., 1981. Metabolism of albendazole in cattle, sheep, rats and mice. Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 9, 503-508

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennessy, D.R., 1994. The disposition of antiparasitic drugs in relation to the development of resistance by parasites of livestock. Acta Tropica, 56, 125-141

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennessy, D.R., 1997. Physiology, pharmacology and parasitology. International Journal for Parasitology, 27, 145-152

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennessy, D.R., Steel, J.W., Lacey, E., Eagleson, G.K. and Prichard, R.K., 1989. The disposition kinetics of albendazole in sheep. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 12, 421-429

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennessy, D.R., Ali, D.N. and Sillince, J., 1995. The effect of a short-term reduction in feed on the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of albendazole in sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal, 72, 29-30

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox, M.R., 1995. Medicated blocks to control parasites of ruminants. In: J.B. Rowe and J.V. Nolan (eds), Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia, (Department of Animal Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW), 116-121

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox, M.R. and Steel, J.W., 1997. Effects of diet and species on the pharmacokinetics of fenbendazole in cattle. Veterinary Research Communications, 21, 37-43

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox, M.R., Steel, J.W., Ali, D.N. and LeJambre, L.F., 1995. A comparison of plasma metabolite levels in goats and sheep during continuous low-level administration of fenbendazole. Veterinary Research Communications, 19, 159-165

    Google Scholar 

  • Manueli, P.R., 1996. Research in Fiji - blocks for parasite control in sheep. (ACIAR Project 9132. Termination Review Meeting held at the Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh, Malaysia)

  • Munyua, W.K., Githigia, S.M., Mwangi, D.M., Kimoro, C.O. and Ayuya, J.M., 1997. The effects of a controlled-release albendazole capsule (Proftril-Captec) on parasitism in grazing Corriedale ewes in the Nyandarua district of Kenya. Veterinary Research Communications, 21, 85-99

    Google Scholar 

  • Prichard, R.K., Hennessy, D.R. and Steel, J.W., 1978. Prolonged administration: a new concept for increasing spectrum and effectiveness of anthelmintics. Veterinary Parasitology, 4, 309-315

    Google Scholar 

  • Prichard, R.K., Hennessy, D.R., Steel, J.W. and Lacey, E., 1985. Metabolite concentrations in plasma following treatment of cattle with five anthelmintics. Research in Veterinary Science, 39, 173-178

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, P.K., 1994. Pharmacokinetic study of triclabendazole in sheep and goat using a high performance liquid chromatography method. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 26, 200-203

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, P.K., 1996. Gastrointestinal parasites and small ruminant production in India. Sustainable parasite control in small ruminants. ACIAR Proceedings, 74, 109-112

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, P.K., 1997a. Disposition kinetics of albendazole in goat compared to sheep. Indian Veterinary Journal, 74, 213-216

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, P.K., 1997b. Self medicating anthelmintic delivery devices for ruminants. The Blue Cross Book for the Veterinarian Profession, 8, 12-17

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, P.K., 1998. Effect of single and divided dose administration on the pharmacokinetics of albendazole in sheep and goat. The Veterinary Journal, 155, 311-316

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, P.K. and Ghodke, Y.S., 1996. Influence of species and subclinical parasitism on the kinetic disposition of fenbendazole in small ruminants. Indian Veterinary Journal, 73, 392-395

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, P.K., Knox, M.R., Singh, D.K., Hennessy, D.R. and Steel, J.W., 1995. Influence of diet type on the kinetic disposition of fenbendazole in cattle and buffalo. International Journal for Parasitology, 25, 1201-1205

    Google Scholar 

  • Short, C.R., Flory, W., Hsieh, L.C. and Barker, S.A., 1988. The oxidative metabolism of fenbendazole: a comparative study. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 11, 50-55

    Google Scholar 

  • Skerman, K.D. and Hillard, J.J., 1966. A Handbook for Studies of Helminth Parasites of Ruminants, (Near East Animal Health Institutes, Iran Unit, FAO, Section C IV), 1-3

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sanyal, P. The Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of Long-Term Low-Level and Split-Dose Administration of Albendazole Through In-Feed Formulations against Ovine and Caprine Parasitic Gastroenteritis. Vet Res Commun 22, 467–477 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006127132161

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006127132161

Navigation