Effects of single therapeutic and high dose (20mg/kg) levamisole on clinical signs, hematology and kidney function in lambs

摘要

Groups of 5 lambs each were given a single levamisole oral therapeutic dose of 7.5mg/kg or high dose of 20mg/kg. Jugular blood was taken before treatment (0 hour) and 2, 24, 48, 96 and 144 hours after for hematology and kidney function markers. In 3 lambs given 7.5mg/kg levamisole, we noticed mild and transient nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and fever which disappeared the morning after. In those given 20mg/kg, we found inappetence, salivation, neurologic excitement, and diarrhea throughout.Two lambs were unable to stand with hind limb paralysis and became recumbent. However, both groups survived and recovered fully 4 days after treatment. Administration of both doses of levamisole was associated with declines in red blood cell counts and hemoglobin but increased packed cell volume and white blood cell counts (P < 0.05) which were more pronounced in those given high doses. Blood urea and creatinine increased (P < 0.05) increased in lambs given high doses levamisole. The findings suggest that levamisole at therapeutic doses can affect lambs transiently but toxicity is evoked by 20mg/kg.