A review of regional and temporal use of avermectins in cattle and horses worldwide.
Abstract: Ivermectin and abamectin are two members of the group of parasiticides known as the avermectins; ivermectin was first registered as an injectable treatment for cattle in 1981. Since then, abamectin has been registered for cattle and ivermectin for horses. The relative popularity of the avermectins amongst farmers and veterinarians can be attributed to their spectrum of activity, convenience, wide margin of safety and the improved health and performance of stock following their use. Patterns of use in grazing animals apply equally to the avermectins as to other antiparasitics, particularly anthelmintics; these are based on a knowledge of epidemiology integrated with practical management considerations. For cattle, programs are commonly aimed at control of abomasal nematodes of the genera Ostertagia and Haemonchus. Use of avermectins is largely strategic in cattle, treatments being favored at the end of the period of transmission of these parasites; this frequently coincides with housing, entry into a feedlot or movement to another pasture. Simultaneous control of important ectoparasites at this time is an added benefit. Prophylactic use of avermectins at pasture is primarily targeted at the young first season grazing animal. In horses, a bimonthly treatment schedule during the period of risk has proved effective in helping prevent adverse effects of the main target parasites, including large and small strongyles and stomach bots. These patterns of use can be applied to the evaluation of the potential for avermectin residues in feces to have impact on pasture ecology. The evidence presented suggests that any effects are temporally and spatially limited. After more than a decade of practical use, there is no indication that avermectins have had a significant impact on pasture ecology and the environment.
Publication Date: 1993-06-01 PubMed ID: 8346632DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(93)90141-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research article focuses on the analysis of the use of avermectins – a group of parasiticides, specifically ivermectin and abamectin, for treating parasitic diseases in cattle and horses worldwide, and gauges the potential impact of avermectin residues in feces on pasture ecology.
Background of Avermectins
- Avermectins, including ivermectin and abamectin, are a group of broad-spectrum antiparasitic agents.
- Ivermectin was first registered in 1981 as an injectable treatment for cattle, while abamectin was later registered for the same purpose.
- Particularly, the use of avermectins among farmers and veterinarians is evident due to their broad activity, convenience, safety margin, and the corresponding improved health and performance of the livestock.
Use of Avermectins
- For cattle and other grazing animals, the application of avermectins aligns with that of other antiparasitics, especially anthelmintics, where the usage patterns are formed based on integrated practical management considerations and disease epidemiology knowledge.
- Generally, programmes are aimed at controlling abomasal nematodes, with the preferred times for treatment being the end of the nematodes’ transmission period, often aligning with the livestock’s rehousing, feedlot entry, or move to a new pasture.
- The added benefit of simultaneous ectoparasite control at this time is also emphasized.
- Young, first-season grazing cattle are the primary targets for prophylactic use of avermectins at pasture.
- On the other hand, a bimonthly treatment regimen during hazardous periods has proven beneficial in preventing potential damage from major parasitic threats, such as large and small strongyles and stomach bots, in horses.
Impact on Pasture Ecology
- The study explored the potential for avermectin residues in feces to affect pasture ecology.
- The findings suggest that any effects, if present, would be spatially and temporally limited.
- Moreover, no significant impact on pasture ecology and the environment after over a decade of practical avermectins usage is observed, signifying their relative safety for the environment.
Cite This Article
APA
Forbes AB.
(1993).
A review of regional and temporal use of avermectins in cattle and horses worldwide.
Vet Parasitol, 48(1-4), 19-28.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4017(93)90141-9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- MERCK AgVet, Rahway, NJ 07065-0912.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
- Arthropods
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / drug therapy
- Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
- Ectoparasitic Infestations / drug therapy
- Ectoparasitic Infestations / prevention & control
- Ectoparasitic Infestations / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Insecticides
- Ivermectin / analogs & derivatives
- Ivermectin / therapeutic use
- Nematode Infections / drug therapy
- Nematode Infections / prevention & control
- Nematode Infections / veterinary
- Parasitic Diseases / drug therapy
- Parasitic Diseases / prevention & control
- Parasitic Diseases, Animal
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Urrutia MA, Cortez V, Verdú JR. Ivermectin causes adverse effects on the metabolic rate and thermoregulatory capacity of Dung beetles. Sci Rep 2025 Feb 26;15(1):6906.
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