Case Report

Oral ivermectin intoxication on a veal farm

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Abstract

In this case report, a presumably deliberate oral ivermectin intoxication is described on a veal farm, in the first week after arrival of the calves. All 330 calves, aged between two and four weeks, showed severe depression, sternal to lateral recumbency, tremor and headshaking. Of the calves, 13.6% died. The remaining animals gradually recovered within five to seven days with supportive oral rehydration therapy. The source of intoxication was the milk replacer with an ivermectin concentration of 35 mg/ kg. The serum of three affected calves contained ivermectin between 0.75 mg/kg and 1.1 mg/kg. The suspected oral dose of ivermectin was 1.75 mg/kg bodyweight for an average calf (40 kg). This report demonstrates that signs of oral ivermectin intoxication may occur in calves of two to four weeks of age at a dose 8.75 times the registered therapeutic dose for subcutaneous administration in cattle.

How to Cite:

Vermeulen, H. & Pardon, B. & Croubels, S. & Vercruysse, J. & Deprez, P., (2016) “Oral ivermectin intoxication on a veal farm”, Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift 85(2), 94-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v85i2.16351