Anthelmintic efficacy of an oral formulation of moxidectin against gastro-intestinal strongyles in sheep flocks from central Italy

Introduction-Gastrointestinal strongyle (GI) infections are the most important parasitoses threatening sheep production, as they may be responsible for significant economic lost. The control of these infections is still largely based on the massive use of broad-spectrum anthelmintics, which, however, favored the onset of the anthelmintic resistance. The anthelmintic resistance is a widespread problem of increasing concern in several countries, and regarding mainly BZ (fenbendazole), IMD (levamisole) and LM (ivermectin). At present, there are no reported cases of resistance to moxidectin in Italy, but severs international studies have shown the presence of strongyle populations resistent to moxidectin that represents the molecule of choice for the treatment of GI strongylosis in small ruminants. Aim-The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an oral formulation containing moxidectin for the treatment of sheep GI strongylosis raised in central Italy, in order to acquire...