Efficacy of COWP-Dewormer Combo

A study was conducted at the USDA ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, Arkansas, to determine the efficacy of treatment with copper oxide wire particles (COWP) alone or in combination with levamisole (Prohibit®) or albendazole (Valbazen®) or a 3-way combination against anthelmintic-resistant worms.

There were four treatment groups. If FAMACHA© scores were ≥ 3, lambs received 1) 1 g COWP (n=120); 2) COWP + levamisole (Prohibit®, 8 mg/kg) (n=27); 3) COWP + albendazole (Valbazen®, 7.5 mg/kg) (n=6); or 4) 3-way combination: COWP + levamisole + albendazole.

Fecal egg counts (FEC) were determined on day 0 prior to treatment and 14 days post-treatment. FEC reductions were calculated from arithmetic means. Only lambs with FEC >200 epg were used in the study. Lambs had mixed worm infections consisting primarily of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp.

In selectively-treated lambs, COWP reduced FEC and increased packed cell volume (PCV), but was not as effective as the combination treatment with levamisole or the 3-way combination. More controlled studies with more treatment groups are planned.

Source: Annual meeting, Southern Section of American Society of Animal Science, Chattanooga, Tennessee. January 2020.