Anthelmintic efficacy of oxibendazole against some important nematodes in dogs and cats.

The anthelmintic efficacy and safety of the oxibendazole component in a combination oxibendazole-niclosamide paste were investigated in dogs and cats and in litters of pups with naturally acquired nematode infections. A single dose of 15 mg oxibendazole/kg body weight given to 70 dogs and to 29 cats reduced faecal worm egg counts (EPG) by 97.6% for Toxocara canis, 95.7% for Trichuris vulpis, 94.6% for Ancylostoma caninum, and 100% for Toxascaris leonina. In cats, 96.7% efficacy was demonstrated against Toxocara cati. In a second trial, 119 pups in 22 litters were treated with the same dosage at 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age. After treatment on two consecutive days, 95% of the pups did not shed T. canis eggs, compared with 85% after only a single treatment. Side effects were rare and only recorded in young animals. A 2-day treatment schedule is recommended for unweaned pups.