Moxidectin

Major Uses

Moxidectin is an avermectin antiparasitic that is commonly used in dogs and cats to prevent heartworm infection, flea dulticide, and ear mites. It is also useful for treating hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. Moxidectin can be used to treat generalized demodicosis as well.

Common Precautions

When moxidectin is being used for preventative treatments, animals should be tested to make sure they do not already have the condition being prevented. It should be used cautiously in animals with food allergies, atopy, and flea allergy dermatitis. Moxidectin should also be used cautiously when being administered concurrently with vaccinations, as anaphylaxis can occur. Animals younger than 6 months old should not use moxidectin, as safety has not been determined. Female dairy cattle of breeding age should not use this drug.

Some negative side effects of moxidectin include anaphylaxis, liver disease, convulsions, autoimmune hemolytic disease, and death. Vomiting, ataxia, lethargy, and inappetence have been observed a possible side effects resulting from the oral form of the medication. When used in horses, some patients have experienced CNS depression and coma after high doses.

Moxidectin should not be used in animals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to the drug. A veterinarian should be contacted immediately if an overdose is suspected, the symptoms of which can be dysorexia, hypersalivation, mydreasis, and fasiculations and ataxia of the pelvic limbs. Other symptoms of an overdose can include tremors, seizures, hyperesthesia, and vomiting.

Storage

Moxidectin should be kept at or below 77 degrees Fahrenheit while stored in a tight, light resistant, childproof container. It should be carefully protected from light. Should it become frozen, it should be thawed and well shaken before use.

Administration

A typical dose of moxidectin in dogs ranges from .05-4 mL. For cats, doses between .23-.8 mL are appropriate. A normal dose for cattle is .2mg/kg in injection form. Moxidectin should be administered to horses in oral form according to the dose amounts listed on the product packaging. Doses should be administered based on a carefully observed schedule. Should a scheduled dose be missed, it should be administered as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped and the regular schedule should be continued. Two doses should not be administered at the same time.

Doses may vary in different species, when the drug is given by a different route or concurrently with other medications, and with regards to a patient's age, breed, and health status. A veterinarian's dosing instructions and/or those printed on the medication label should be followed closely.