Efficacy of a New Fenbendazole Treatment Protocol against Capillaria spp. in Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Hedgehogs, Erinaceus spp., are commonly admitted to rescue centres in European countries. However, there are still few studies on parasitological fauna and treatment possibilities, including for E. roumanicus. This study aimed to evaluate parasitism in 34 hedgehogs directly after their admission to the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden Wildlife Rescue Centre, as well as the efficacy of fenbendazole treatment. The Mini-Flotac method was used to quantitatively evaluate and assess the efficacy of treatment with fenbendazole (100 mg/kg PO. BID for 7 days) in five selected individuals. Faecal samples were analysed at D0 and D14 after the beginning of the treatment. Globally, the prevalence of positive animals was 76%. Capillaria spp. were the most prevalent (68%), while coccidia showed a prevalence of 32%. Considering the range of action of this benzimidazole, the treatment provided an efficacy of 100%, eliminating all forms of Capillaria spp. Considering the high number of hedgehogs admitted to rescue centres and the potential effects of parasitism in morbidity and mortality during recovery, it is essential to improve our knowledge with regard to the parasitological fauna of these species and to attain effective treatment protocols.
Source: Parasitologia
Institutions: University of Lisbon, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Centro de Investigação e de Tecnologias Agro-Ambientais e Biologicas, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, University of Veterinary Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,137
Awards: Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária, Mamíferos da fauna ibérica como bioindicadores e biomarcadores de contaminação ambiental – estudo das consequências da exposição a metais pesados e metaloides (cádmio, chumbo, mercúrio, arsénio e crómio) e avaliação semiquantitativa de antracose pulmonar, Novo: Integrated control of avian gastrointestinal parasites: optimizing their coprological diagnosis and biocontrol using predatory fungi. Inicial: Gastrointestinal Parasites of Domestic Birds and their Biological Control with Predatory Fungi, Centro de Investigação e de Tecnologias Agro-Ambientais e Biológicas, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, G8509006001
OpenAlex ID: W4401974666