Clinical and Parasitological Evaluation of Fenbendazole and Levamisole for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Nematodes Infections in Indigenous Goats Under Field Conditions in Shikarpur District, Pakistan

Inayat Hussain; Jam Kashif; Syeda Sara Hassan; Shahbaz Ahmed; Neelkanth Maheshwari; Wasif Ali Khan; Abdur Rahman; Ikram Ullah; Naseeb Ullah Marri; Shah Nawaz; Muzamil Habib Samoo; Love Son Lakhani; Jahanzaib Khaliq

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v7i3.2377

Authors

Inayat Hussain Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Jam Kashif Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Syeda Sara Hassan Department of zoology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Shahbaz Ahmed Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Neelkanth Maheshwari Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Wasif Ali Khan Intermediate, Dubai International Public School and College Mansehra, Pakistan
Abdur Rahman Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Ikram Ullah Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Naseeb Ullah Marri Department of Poultry Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Shah Nawaz Department of Livestock and Management, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Muzamil Habib Samoo Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan
Love Son Lakhani Livestock and Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh, Pakistan
Jahanzaib Khaliq Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, 70060 Tandojam, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v7i3.2377

Keywords:

Nematode Infections; Anthelmintics; Levamisole; Fecal egg count (FEC); Goats

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematode infections are an important constraint to goat production, particularly under extensive and semi-intensive management systems. Increasing concerns regarding reduced anthelmintic efficacy emphasize the need for local assessment of commonly used drugs. Objective: To determine the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal nematodes in indigenous goats and compare the field efficacy of fenbendazole and levamisole in Shikarpur District, Pakistan. Methods: This field-based study was conducted from August 2022 to February 2023. Fecal samples from 100 indigenous goats were examined using flotation and McMaster techniques to determine nematode infections and fecal egg counts. For the treatment trial, 30 goats were allocated equally to an untreated control group, fenbendazole group, and levamisole group. Fecal egg counts were assessed before treatment and on days 3, 7, 10, and 15 after treatment. Drug efficacy was determined by percentage reduction in eggs per gram (EPG). Results: Overall gastrointestinal nematode prevalence was 49.0%. Haemonchus spp. were the predominant nematodes (51.02%), followed by Nematodirus spp. (22.44%), Oesophagostomum spp. (18.36%), and Ostertagia spp. (8.16%; p=0.002). Prevalence did not differ significantly according to locality, while the distributions of positive cases by age and breed were also statistically non-significant. Fecal egg counts remained largely unchanged in untreated goats but progressively declined in both treatment groups. By day 15, fenbendazole reduced EPG by 84.95%, whereas levamisole achieved a 93.98% reduction. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal nematode infections were common among indigenous goats in Shikarpur, with Haemonchus spp. predominating. Both anthelmintics reduced fecal egg counts, although levamisole demonstrated greater field efficacy than fenbendazole. The incomplete egg-count reduction, particularly with fenbendazole, suggests the need for routine efficacy surveillance and more rational anthelmintic use.

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