THE EFFECT OF DERMALLY APPLIED LEVAMISOLE AGAINST THE PARASITIC NEMATODES OF CATTLE

A series of trials to establish the anthelmintic efficiency of levamisole, when applied dermally to calves, is described. The levamisole base was formulated in a suitable solvent system at 100 g/l and applied dermally at a dose rate of 8 mg base/kg. This gave efficiencies of 97.1-100%, 88.5-100%, 100%, 98.7-100% and 89.2-100% against adult Haemonchus placei, Ostertagia spp, Cooperia spp, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Trichostrongylus axei, respectively. Activity against the immature stages of H. placei was recorded at 100%, and against immature Cooperia spp the range was 96.3-100%. Extremely variable results were obtained against immature Ostertagia spp, efficiency ranging from 0% to 100%. Efficiency against adult Dictyocaulus viviparus was in the range of 84-100%. The potential advantage of a dermally applied anthelmintic is discussed.