Field efficacy of eprinomectin against a natural Muellerius capillaris infection in dairy goats

The field efficacy of eprinomectin against a natural infection with Muellerius capillaris was evaluated in adult dairy goats. A total of 13 animals were included in a crossover treatment study. Animals were treated with eprinomectin (0.5 mg/kg) in the spring and again in the autumn of 2006, and monitored by enumeration of the lungworm larvae per gram of faeces (LPG). The reduction in LPG on days 7, 21 and 42 after treatment was used to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy. Both in the spring and in the autumn a 100% reduction (P < 0.01) in LPG was observed on days 21 and 42. These results illustrate that eprinomectin applied as a topical pour-on is a practical alternative to benzimidazole treatment of lungworms in dairy goats. No adverse reactions to the eprinomectin treatment were observed.