Evaluation of the safety of ivermectin-praziquantel administered orally to pregnant mares.

The research article is an evaluation study on the safety of orally administering ivermectin-praziquantel paste to pregnant horses, assessing its potential effects on several clinical, reproductive, and neonatal outcomes.

Objectives and Methods

• The study aims to ascertain the safety of the oral application of an ivermectin and praziquantel paste in relation to varied factors such as clinical findings, parturition, lactation, maternal care, and neonate viability in pregnant mares.
• The research involved 40 pregnant mares that were divided randomly into treatment (20 mares) and control (20 mares) groups. The treatment group was given a therapeutic dose of ivermectin (0.6 mg/kg) and praziquantel (4.5 mg/kg); three times their usual dosage every two weeks until they gave birth. The control group received a placebo.
• Physical examinations were done on both the mares and their foals after birth at different intervals (30-day, 60-day, and 90-day postpartum) to determine any possible drug-related effects.
• Additionally, researchers carried out hematologic and serum biochemical analyses on the mares every month to aid in overall health assessment.

Results

• Minor changes were detected in the blood constituents of some mares, yet these were deemed not biologically significant.
• The study found no impact on the horses’ reproductive performance from the increased dosage or extended duration of the treatment, even though the medicine was given during a crucial period of equine embryonic development (between days 30 and 60).
• Neither any adverse effects on the mares nor any incidents of abortion were reported as a result of the treatment.
• No abnormalities were found in the foals during the three-month follow-up period after birth.

Conclusions

• Based on their results, the researchers concluded that the administration of the ivermectin-praziquantel paste appears to be safe for pregnant mares and their offspring. The study could contribute significantly to veterinary care guidelines for pregnant mares, particularly in circumstances where treatment with such drugs is indicated.