Anthelmintic efficacy in captive wild impala antelope (Aepyceros melampus) in Lusaka, Zambia
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Date
2011
Authors
Mudenda, Ntombi B.
. Nalubamba, King Shimumbo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
There has been an increase in the number of wild ungulates kept in captivity for ecotourism
and conservation in Zambia and these animals are susceptible to a number of
diseases including gastrointestinal helminth infections. Surveys to determine anthelmintic
efficacy to gastrointestinal nematodes in captive-wildlife are not common and there have
been no reports of anthelmintic resistance in captive-wildlife in Zambia. This study was
carried out to determine the efficacy of the benzimidazole anthelmintic fenbendazole in
captive wild impala (Aepyceros melampus) in Zambia. During the month of April 2011, at
the end of the rainy season, the faecal egg count reduction test was performed at a private
game facility for assessing anthelmintic efficacy of oral fenbendazole and the anthelmintic
treatment showed an efficacy of 90%. Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. were the
predominant genera present before treatment, but Haemonchus spp. larvae were the only
genus recovered from the faecal cultures after anthelmintic treatment. This represents the
first documentation of anthelmintic treatment failure in captive wild-antelopes in Zambia.
It also demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the common traditional practice of deworming
captive-wild antelopes at the end of the rainy season due to the rapid re-infection
of impala that occurs due to high pasture infectivity. Suggestions on changes to current
anthelmintic use/practices that will make them more efficacious and reduce the possibility
of development of anthelmintic resistance in captive wild game in Zambia are also made
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Anthelmintic efficacy , Captive-wild impala (Aepyceros melampus)