Clinical trial of moxidectin oral gel in horses.

This study conducted a 98-day trial on 150 Standardbred horses to assess the effectiveness and safety of treating equine parasite infections with moxidectin gel. The results indicated that moxidectin had a better and lasting suppressive effect than ivermectin on some parasites, without causing adverse reactions in the horses.

Overview of the Trial

• The trial was carried out over a period of 98 days and used 150 Standardbred horses that naturally acquired parasite infections as the subjects of the test.
• The study was specifically designed to evaluate the efficacy of moxidectin gel in treating these infections, in comparison to a commonly used anti-parasitic drug called ivermectin.
• The efficacy of the treatment was measured by the extent to which it reduced the production of parasite eggs post-treatment, and how it suppressed post-treatment parasite egg counts in comparison to ivermectin.

Results of the Trial

• The results of the trial showed that moxidectin had a significantly more prolonged and greater suppressive effect on the reappearance and magnitude of strongyle (a type of horse worm) egg counts post treatment compared to ivermectin.
• However, for low Parascaris equorum (a type of roundworm in horses) egg counts, there were no observed differences between the capabilities of ivermectin or moxidectin to reduce and suppress these counts.
• No adverse reactions to either treatment were observed during the trial, suggesting that moxidectin gel is safe for use in horses.

Utility and Acceptance

• Apart from the efficacy and safety, the study also sought to assess the utility of the moxidectin delivery device, which was in the form of a syringe, and the animal acceptance of the moxidectin treatment.
• Both the utility of the delivery syringe and animal acceptance of the moxidectin treatment were found to be satisfactory by the researchers.