Vol. 12, Issue 1 (2023)

Author(s):
Shivani Sahu, VS Singh, Stuti Vatsya, RS Chauhan, JL Singh, Munish Batra, Rakesh Nautiyal and Deepti Arora

Abstract:
Maintenance of wildlife population is an inevitable task. Endoparasitic diseases are one of the major problems in wildlife leading to morbidity and mortality. Indiscriminate use of anthelmintics for deworming of animals against gastrointestinal parasites has lead to development of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, prompt decision on usage of right drug based on its efficacy is essential. The study to compare the efficacies of drugs namely Ivermectin and Fenbendazole was conducted in the Cervids of Dehradun Zoo. Animals were divided into an untreated, control group (I) and two treatment groups i.e. ivermectin (II) and fenbendazole (III). As per the routine Zoo regime, ivermectin was administered @0.2mg/kg body weight, orally and fenbendazole @7.5mg/kg body weight, orally. EPG (egg per gram) of collected faecal samples was determined on 0, 7^th, 14^th and 21^st day post treatment, using the modified McMaster method to quantify nematode egg burdens. Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) showed 97 per cent efficacy for ivermectin, constantly reducing egg shedding by more than 95 per cent. Fenbendazole was also found 96.15% effective against nematodes, 14^th day post-treatment. A greater than 95% reduction in faecal egg counts, in both the anthelmintic groups indicated that anthelmintics used are still beneficial. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference evident in efficacy of ivermectin and fenbendazole. Therefore, both the anthelmintics can be used in a strategic control program against gastrointestinal nematodosis in Cervids.