Efficacy of ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes of pig in Nsukka area of Enugu State, Nigeria

- Ivermectin produced mean FECR% of 98.36% against strongyle eggs.
- Ivermectin produced mean FECR% of 100% against ascarids and trichurids eggs.
- There was no ivermectin resistant GI nematode population in the pig.

Ivermectin is a frequently used anthelmintic in pig production in Nigeria, because it is very effective against a broad range of endo- and ecto-parasites. However, gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infection still remains a major threat in pig production in Enugu state, Nigeria. Hence, the efficacy of ivermectin against GI nematode parasites of pig was evaluated in pig farms located in Nsukka area of Enugu State, using the Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). From each of 11 pig farms, 10 randomly selected female pigs were used for the study. Faecal samples were collected per rectum from each of the pigs for analysis, and their individual faecal egg count (FEC) per gram of faeces determined prior to treatment with ivermectine® (1% Ivemectin). A repeat sampling was carried out on the same pigs 12 days post treatment (PT) to determine PT FEC. The efficacy of the anthelmintic, was calculated using the formular, FECR (%) = 100 X (1 − [T2 / T1]). The ivermectin produced mean FECR% of 98.36% ± 0.43% against strongyle eggs and 100% against ascarid and trichurid in the farms. Consequently, at the level of the FECRT, the ivermectin used in this study was effective against GI nematode parasites of pigs in the study area, and no resistance was observed.