Abstract
Introduction: Gastrointestinal parasitic infestations are one of the major health concerns worldwide; hence, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a doramectin-based anti-parasitic drug.
Methods: To achieve this goal, we collected fresh faecal samples (50-100 g) from 20 sheep and 20 cattle, which were subsequently examined through coproparasitic methods.
Results: Pre-therapeutic coproscopic screening of samples from sheep and cattle led to the identification of digestive strongyles, Eimeria spp., Balantidium coli, Cestodes, and Toxocara spp. The prevalence rates for sheep were 100%, 35%, 35%, 30%, and 15%, respectively, and 80%, 30%, 30%, 10%, and 10% for cattle.
Conclusion: The study led to the identification of parasites belonging to three different species: Sporozoa, Nematoda, and Cestoda. None of the investigated helminths proved resistant to Dectomax®, meaning that the average efficacy rate of Dectomax® in sheep and cattle naturally infected with digestive strongyles, Eimeria spp. or Toxocara spp. was 94% and 95%, respectively.