Safety of an antiprotozoal drug combination in sheep

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the possible side effects in sheep of combined administration of imidocarb, buparvaquone, and oxytetracycline, which are antiprotozoal drugs against bloodborne parasites, at the maximum dose and treatment period. . Materials and Methods: Imidocarb (2.4 mg/kg), buparvaquone (2.5 mg/kg), and oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg) were administered simultaneously by intramuscular injection to 10 sheep, and a second combined dose was administered 3 days later. Blood samples were taken before (0 control) and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days after drug administrations. Malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2?-deoxyguanosine, troponin I, and creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme levels were determined with ELISA reader, and cardiac, hepatic, and renal damage markers were measured with autoanalyzer. Blood gas and hemogram parameters were also determined. Results: No oxidative stress (p>0.05) was observed in the sheep, whereas increased (p Conclusion: The combination of imidocarb, buparvaquone, and oxytetracycline have not cause serious oxidative damage, cardiotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity in sheep, but this combination may show transient effects on liver function and blood gas and hemogram values. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using this combination in infected sheep.

Keywords

• imidocarb
• buparvaquone
• oxytetracycline
• safety
• sheep