Abstract :
Various aspects of the safety of moxidectin for goats were tested in six experiments, where two pharmaceutical forms
(1% injectable solution and 0.1% oral drench) of the drug were used. In experiments I and II, the drug was administered
to adult goats or to kids in the following doses: 300, 600, 900 and 2 × 300 g kg−1. In experiments III and IV, the drug
was administered to goats before and during pregnancy in the dose of 300 g kg−1. In experiments V and VI, the drug
was administered to goats concurrently with an enterotoxaemia vaccine or with a flukicide in the dose of 300 g kg−1.
An increased (P < 0.05) prevalence of animals with adverse reactions was recorded among adult goats, which received
900 g kg−1 of moxidectin 1% injectable solution and among kids which received 600 or 900 g kg−1 of moxidectin 1%
injectable solution or 900 g kg−1 moxidectin 0.1% oral drench. The salient reactions of the animals were: indifference to the
environment, drowsiness, somnolence, salivation, ataxia and refusal of kids to suck their dams; they were observed 4–8 h after
administration of the drug and regressed within 36 h after it. No other statistically significant adverse reactions were observed
among experimental animals; no adverse reproductive effects were recorded; no effects were observed during simultaneous
administration of the enterotoxaemia vaccine or the flukicide. It is concluded that although the drug appears to be safe for use
to goats of all ages and reproductive stages, care should be taken to avoid inadverted overdosing.
© 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
