Effectiveness of the antiparasitic Labiomec (Ivermectin 1 %) for the control of oestrosis in sheep

Abstract

Oestrosis is the cavitary myiasis that commonly affects sheep and it is endemic in Guantanamo province, Cuba. At the end of 2019, there were reports in nine of the 10 municipalities in the province. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the antiparasitic Labiomec (Ivermectin 1 %) for the control of oestrosis in Pelibuey sheep. Forty adult animals, 20 females and 20 males belonging to the same flock, affected by oestrosis and which had not previously received antiparasitic treatments in the last three months, were selected. Two groups of 20 animals were formed. Labiomec (Ivermectin 1 %) was applied to group 1 at a rate of 0.2 mg/kg body weight on day zero and 21 days; 0.9 % saline solution was applied to group 2 (control group) at a dose of 1mL /50 kg body weight, at the same frequency as the group from 14 days of treatments. The research was based on the presence of clinical signs compatible with infestation. Six specimens were slaughtered for each group: two on day zero, two at 14 days and two at 28 days. Skulls were processed by making a sagittal and two transversal cuts to search for parasite larvae which were counted, identified and recovered. In group 1, a decrease in live and dead larvae was observed. At 28 days, there were no larvae present and the lesions caused by oestrosis remained. Regarding group 2, the control group, larvae were still alive.