Efficacy and Safety of Albendazole against Haemonchus Contortus Infestation in Goats

A field study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of albendazole administered orally at different dose regimens in goats naturally infested with Haemonchus contortus. Nineteen male goats' allocated to five groups (N= four, control N= three) were used. The first group served as the untreated control. Albendazole was given as a single dose for the second and third group at dose 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) respectively. The fourth group received 2.5 mg/kg BW repeated for four days while the fifth group given 1.25 mg/kg BW repeated for eight days. Faecal and blood samples were collected at zero, one, three, seven, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of drug administration. The results of faecal egg count reduction% revealed that, the group received 5 mg/kg BW as a single dose had ≥ 95 % on the day three and seven, the group received 10 mg/kg BW as a single dose had ≥ 95 % on day three, the group received 2.5 mg/kg BW repeated for four days had ≥ 95 % on the day three, seven and 15, group received 1.25 mg/kg BW repeated for eight days had ≥ 95 % on the day three, seven, 15 and 30. The results of PCV % revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the group received 1.25 mg/kg BW repeated for eight days on day 30 and 45. The results of the total leukocyte count revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in treated groups when compared to control on day seven, 15 and 30. The results of biochemical analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the level of albumin in the group received 1.25 mg/kg BW repeated for eight days on day 45. It was concluded that, administration of albendazole at small repeated doses proved to have a satisfactory efficacy and safety in the treatment and control of H. contortus in goats.