Moxidectin/MoxidectinDose, contraindications and adverse effects for Cats, Cattle, Dogs, Goats, Horses and Sheep.

Macrocyclic lactone (milbemycin) anthelmintic/ectoparasiticide; paralyzes parasites via glutamate-gated chloride channels. For dogs, an extended-release injectable moxidectin product is FDA-approved for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by D immitis and for the treatment of existing larval and adult hookworm (A caninum, U stenocephala) infections.

The primary mode of action of milbemycin drugs is to affect chloride ion channel activity in the nervous system of nematodes and arthropods. The drug binds to receptors that increase membrane permeability to chloride ions, inhibiting the electrical activity of nerve cells in nematodes and muscle cells in arthropods and causing paralysis and death of the parasites.

Do not use moxidectin in animals hypersensitive to it, or in sick, debilitated, or underweight animals. Animals with poor body condition (eg, neonates, cachectic animals) may be more prone to adverse effects. DOGS: Labeled heartworm preventive doses for the oral (up to 3 µg/kg per month) and topical (2500 µg/kg/month) formulations are safe for all dogs with the MDR1 mutation (also known as ABCB1-1del- ta; see Appendix).

DOGS: Moxidectin as a sole agent: Injectable products (ProHeart® 6, ProHeart® 12): Previously, the injectable product (ProHeart® 6) was implicated in serious adverse effects. In 2004, at the request of the FDA, the manufacturer instituted a voluntary recall of ProHeart® 6 after reports of serious adverse effects (including anaphylaxis, liver disease, autoimmune hemolytic disease, convulsions, and death) were discovered to have been caused by contamination from residual…

■ Efficacy based on clinical signs and diagnostic testing (eg, FECR testing, fecal flotation, heartworm antigen testing, external parasite elimination) ■ For demodicosis, clinical signs and monthly skin scrapings

A withdrawal interval is stated for this drug. It depends on the formulation, route and dose, so read the exact wording in the interactive drug guide before treating a food animal.