This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Zental ( Albandazole) and Vermox (Mebandazole) against gastrointestinal nematodes like toxocara canis, toxocara mystax and toxascaris leonina in captive african lion (Panthera leo) kept in Lahore zoo, Lahor zoo safari, Bahawalpur zoo and Zain wildlife breeding farm Lahore because captive African lions are prone to different parasitic infestations.
A survey was carried out to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in captive African lion and it was found that toxocara canis, toxocara mystax and toxascara leonina are the most commonly prevailing gastrointestinal nematodes in captive African lions in above mentioned places. The overall incidence rate of toxocara canis was 82.5 %, of toxocara mystax was 60% and of toxocara leonina was 50% respectively.
The Anthelmintics trials were conducted on 14 animals which were divided into 2 groups A and B each having 7 animals.
Group A was treated with Zental (Albandazole), group B was treated with Vormox (mebendazole), The percentage efficacy of each drug was determined on the basis of reduction on number of eggs per gram of discharged in faeces at day 7, 10, 13, 16 and 22 after deworming.
In group A, decrease in EPG of toxocara canis in group A was 21.1% at day 7, 37.2% at day 10, 54.7% at day 13, 74.6% at day 16 and 88.8% at day 22. Decrease in EPG of toxocara mystax was 15.9% at day 7, 38.1% at day 10, 56.6% at day 13, 70.6% at day 16 and 82.7% at day 22.similarly decrease in EPG on toxocaris leonina was 15.6% at day 7, 29.2% at day 10, 45.6% at day 13, 61.1% at day 16 and 83.1% at day 22 respectively
In group B, decrease in EPG of toxocara canis in group A was 7.24% at day 7, 14.57% at day 10, 23.26% at day 13, 31.27% at day 16 and 38.08% at day 22. Decrease in
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EPG of toxocara mystax was 16.38% at day 7, 22.4% at day 10, 29.6% at day 13, 34.3% at day 16 and 41.2% at day 22.similarly decrease in EPG on toxocaris leonina was 13.6% at day 7, 21.29% at day 10, 30.8% at day 13, 39.1% at day 16 and 47% at day 22 respectively.
Results showed that efficacy of Zental (Albendazole) against gastrointestinal nematodes in African lion was higher as compared to that of Vermox (Mebendazole). Also it was more effective than Vermox (mebendazole) against different parasitic stages of nematodes as evident from EPG count at various days after medication.