Acute behavioural and physiological responses of sheep to S/C ivermectin injection

Abstract

Twenty multiparous, non-pregnant and non-lactating adult ewes and five native Egyptian breed rams (Ovis aries) weighing (35-45 kg) and aged 3-5 years, were used in this experiment. The sheep were randomly assigned to five groups [each had 4 ewes and one ram]; namely, a control group (C, without injection), two saline groups (SN and SE) (injected with 0.9% NaCl) and two IVM groups (IN and IE) [IVM at a dose of 0.2 mg kg-1 BW, 1% solution (Ivomec® injection Merk & Co. Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA)]. The injection was at the left neck region or behind the left elbow. The animals were penned individually for all ethological observations and collection of all data and samples.