ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of tablet and paste formulations of Oxfendazole and Oxyclozanide combinations against subclinical gastrointestinal nematode infections and to compare the advantages and/or disadvantages of their use. Seventy-five infected sheep were selected from an enterprise located in Kayseri in 2006. The sheep were divided into 3 equal groups as paste, tablet and control groups. Fecal samples were collected from each group before drug administration. While the paste and tablet groups were administered drugs orally, no drugs were given to the controls. Fecal samples were collected on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days after drug application and the EPG values were determined. The parasitological examination revealed that the most prevalent species was Ostertagia spp., followed by Nematodirus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. While the mean EPG value of the control group increased up to a ratio of 7.8% at day 28, the mean EPG values of drug groups decreased to 0%. Although the unit dose of paste formulation is more expensive, it was found that it could be an alternative to tablet formulation and has some advantages such as being easier to give, effective utilizing, shorter application period, fewer complications and death risk, no application failure and requires fewer personnel.