Target species
Horses.
Indications for use
Bimectin is indicated for the treatment of nematode and immature stages of arthropod infestations in horses due to:
Intestinal threadworms (adults)
Strongyloides westeri
Stomach bots (oral and gastric stages)
Gasterophilus spp.
Large strongyles
Strongylus vulgaris (adults and 4th larval [arterial] stages)
S. edentatus (adults and 4th larval [tissue] stages)
S. equinus (adults)
Triodontophorus spp. (adults)
Triodontophorus brevicauda
Triodontophorus serratus
Small Strongyles
Adults and immatures (fourth stage larvae) small strongyles or cyathostomes unless otherwise stated. Ivermectin is not effective against the encysted larval stages of the small strongyles
Coronocyclus spp.
Coronocyclus coronatus
Coronocyclus labiatus
Coronocyclus labratus
Cyathostomum spp.
Cyathostomum catinatum
Cyathostomum pateratum
Cylicocyclus spp.
Cylicocyclus ashworthi
Cylicocyclus elongatus
Cylicocyclus insigne
Cylicocyclus leptostomum
Cylicocyclus nassatus
Cylicostephanus spp.
Cylicostephanus calicatus
Cylicostephanus goldi
Cylicostephanus longibursatus
Cylicostephanus minutus
Cylicodontophorus spp.
Cylicodontophorus bicornatus
Parapoteriostomum spp.
Parapoteriostomum mettami
Petrovinema spp.
Petrovinema poculatum
Poteriostomum spp.
Lungworms (adult and immatures)
Dictyocaulus arnfieldi
Pinworms (adult and immatures)
Oxyuris equi
Ascarids (adults and third & fourth stage larvae)
Parascaris equorum
Hairworms (adults)
Trichostrongylus axei
Large-mouth stomach worms (adults)
Habronema muscae
Neck threadworms (microfilariae)
Onchocerca spp.
Contra-indications
None.
Special warnings for each target species
Care should be taken to avoid the following practices because they increase the risk of development of resistance and could ultimately result in ineffective therapy:
•Too frequent and repeated use of anthelmintics from the same class, over an extended period of time.
•Underdosing, which may be due to underestimation of body weight, misadministration of the product or lack of calibration of the dosing device.
Suspected clinical cases of resistance to anthelmintics should be further investigated using appropriate tests (e.g. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test). Where the results of the tests(s) strongly suggest resistance to a particular anthelmintic, an anthelmintic belonging to another pharmacological class and having a different mode of action should be used.
Resistance to ivermectin (an avermectin) has been reported in Parascaris equorum in horses in a number of countries, including the EU. Therefore, the use of this product should be based on local (regional, farm) epidemiological information about susceptibility of nematodes and recommendations on how to limit further selection for resistance to anthelmintics.
Adverse reactions
Some horses carrying heavy infection of Onchocerca microfilariae have experienced oedema and pruritus following dosing, assumed to be the result of death of large numbers of microfilariae. These signs resolve within a few days but symptomatic treatment may be advisable.
Special precautions for use
(i) Precautions for use in animals
Special warning for non-target species: The product has been formulated for use in horses only. Cats, Dogs, especially Collies, Old English Sheepdogs and related breed or crosses, and also turtles and tortoises may be adversely affected by the concentration of ivermectin in this product if they are allowed to ingest spilled paste or have access to used syringes.
Parasite resistance to any particular class of anthehelminthic may develop following frequent, repeated use of an anthehelminthic of that class.
(ii) Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling the product. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. If accidental skin contact occurs, wash the affected area immediately with soap and water. If accidental eye exposure occurs, flush the eyes immediately with water and, if necessary, get medical attention.
Wash hands after use.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Studies performed in laboratory animals showed no teratogenic or embryotoxic effect of ivermectin at the recommended doses during therapy. The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Use only according to risk/benefit analysis by the responsible veterinary surgeon. Do not use in mares producing milk for human consumption.
Interactions
The effects of GABA agonists are increased by ivermectin.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Administer orally as a single dose rate to horses at the recommended dose level of 0.2mg ivermectin per kilogram of bodyweight. The smaller syringe delivers 120mg ivermectin, sufficient to treat 600kg of bodyweight. The bigger syringe delivers 160mg ivermectin, sufficient to treat 800kg of bodyweight.
To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.
If animals are to be treated collectively rather than individually, they should be grouped according to their bodyweight and dosed accordingly, in order to avoid under- or over-dosing.
This is a single use product. Discard after use.
Dosing Instructions:
Each weight marking on the syringe plunger will deliver sufficient paste to treat 100kg bodyweight. Unlock the knurled ring by making ¼ turn and slide the knurled ring up the plunger shaft so that the side nearest the barrel is at the prescribed weight marking. Turn the knurled ring ¼ turn to lock in place. Make sure the horse’s mouth contains no feed. Remove the plastic cap from the tip of the nozzle. Insert the syringe into the horse’s mouth at the interdental space. Advance the plunger as far as it will go, depositing the medication on the base of the tongue. Immediately raise the horse’s head for a few seconds after dosing.
The treatment schedule should be based on the local epidemiological situation.
Overdose
Mild transitory signs (slowed pupillary light response and depression) have been seen at a dose of 1.8mg/kg (9 times the recommended dose level). Other signs seen at higher doses includes mydriasis, ataxia, tremors, stupor, coma and death. The less severe signs have been transitory. No antidote has been identified; however, symptomatic therapy may be beneficial.
Withdrawal periods
Meat and offal 34 days.
Do not use in mares producing milk for human consumption.