In veterinary medicine, to fight nematodes, which periodically colonize the gastrointestinal tract of the animal and its respiratory organs, use a tool called "Levamisole". In our article you will learn about this drug, its instructions for use, will help you figure out how to help the animal in the fight against parasites, without harming its health.
Brief description of the veterinary drug
Levamisole is a drug intended for helminth control. It actively acts on all sexually mature representatives of roundworms - geohelminths, biohelmints and contact helminths, as well as their larval forms. 
Did you know? Parasites can deprive the owner of up to 0.5 liters of blood per day.
Active ingredient, dosage form, packaging
The main active component of this drug is levamisole hydrochloride. In 1 ml of the injection contains 0.075 g of this component, and the excipients are:
- distilled water;
- citric acid;
- sodium citrate and sodium metabisulfite;
- methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoate;
- Trilon B.
It is produced in a darkened glass container of different volume - from 10 to 250 ml, sealed with a rubber lid with an aluminum tip. Or packaged in sterile transparent ampoules with a volume of 2 ml.
To combat the worms in veterinary medicine used drugs "Alben", "Tetramizol", "Ivermek".
Pharmacological properties
The action of Levamisole is based on the negative influence of the main component on the muscular system of the worm. This leads to the restriction of the production of parasite enzymes, which is first accompanied by uncontrolled contraction of the muscles of the body, and then their relaxation. The consequences of such actions is the complete immobilization of the worm, after which its death occurs.
The drug is administered parenterallybypassing the digestive tract. This drug, after ingestion of an animal, is rapidly absorbed, enters all organs and reaches its maximum concentration in 30-60 minutes. Over the next eight hours, it is actively acting on the body. Levamisole hydrochloride is removed after a week in its original condition with waste products.
Important! "Levamisole" refers to the form is not highly hazardous substances. Strict compliance with the instructions for use, is a complete guarantee of safety for animals from the effects of excitatory, poisonous, abnormal, allergic and mutational nature.
Indications for use
Used for the treatment and prevention of parasites in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs. 
Sheep, cows and goats drug is administered with:
- diseases of the respiratory organs caused by nematodes of the family Dictyocaulidae;
- hemon farm;
- bunostomosis;
- esophagostomy;
- nematodirosis;
- ostertagia;
- habertiosis;
- cooperative disease;
- strongyloidiasis.
Read also about diseases of cattle: pasteurellosis, udder edema, ketosis, mastitis, leukemia.
Pigs are treated for:
- intestinal infection caused by ascaris;
- esophagostomy disease;
- strongyloidiasis;
- lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, caused by whipworms;
- chiostrongylosis;
- diseases of the bronchi and trachea, which provoke nematodes of the family Metastrongylidae.
Dosage and administration
The use of medication does not require prior preparation of the animal. It is necessary to inject an injection 1 time strictly under the skin, having previously calculated the dose for a particular individual.
Important! The calculation is carried out taking into account such norms: 7.5 ml "Levamisole" per 100 kg of weight.
This remedy has a limited therapeutic index, so an incorrectly calculated dosage can lead to toxicity.
Before carrying out antihelminthic treatment of the whole herd, it is necessary to test the injection on individual animals and leave them under observation for three days. If the selected individuals do not show any deviations in their state of health, then you can use this batch for the entire population.
Cattle
For cattle, the required volume is calculated according to general recommendations; it should not exceed 30 ml. Representatives of this group are injected with medicine under the scapula. 
Small cattle
The maximum amount of the drug for the Mrs is 4.5 ml. If the weight of the animal is too large, it is recommended to divide the dose into 2-3 places to reduce pain, sting preferably under the scapula.
Pigs
The dose, once administered to pigs, should not be more than 20 ml. It must be placed in the subcutaneous fold on the knee or behind the ear.
Important! If the pigs weigh more than 150 kg, then to achieve the desired effect, the dosage of Levamisole needs to be increased: 3.5 ml of the drug is used for every 50 kg of weight.
Personal safety and hygiene measures
To protect yourself from accidental damage, working with a medical product, you must adhere to general requirements:
- carefully prepare the injection site;
- wear protective clothing and protect your hands with gloves;
- find an assistant for rigid fixation of the animal during the injection;
- dispose of empty vials and syringes.
Learn more about swine diseases: erysipelas, pasteurellosis, parakeratosis, African plague, cysticercosis, colibacteriosis.
special instructions
The slaughter of animals after administration of the anthelmintic drug should occur no earlier than the end of the week. Milk is allowed to be eaten after three days passed after the introduction of the drug.
Up to the designated time, all products derived from livestock undergoing antiglastic treatment or prevention can be used as feed for carnivores. 
Contraindications and side effects
The main contraindication for antihelminthization "Levamisole" is the weight of the animal. First of all, it concerns young piglets, sheep and kids, as their weight at birth is no more than 10 kg.
Not recommended carry out treatment for adults, whose condition is unsatisfactory for various reasons, as well as during pregnancy of animals in the second part of the period.
A drug do not combine with organic compounds containing phosphorus, chloramphenicol, Pirantel and Morantel, a minimum of 10 days must pass before and after their use.
Side effects most often occur due to incorrectly calculated dosage, these include:
- frequent urination and defecation;
- overexcitement of the animal;
- violation of the synchronous movement of various muscles in the absence of weakness.
Did you know? An article by the American newspaper Stranger, after private investigations, reported that Levamisole’s arousing effect was the same as that of cocaine.
These symptoms go away on their own. If poisoning has occurred, accompanied by vomiting, then atropine sulfate will not be superfluous. He is a great antidote. 
Term and storage conditions
Store the product in its original packaging at room temperature, choosing dark, dry places that are difficult to reach for children and animals. May be used for 3 years from the date of issue.
Proper use of "Levamisole" in veterinary medicine helps to preserve the number of livestock of livestock, protects it from diseases that appear in the background of increasing the number of worms. And, as a result, protects the final consumer of food products from undesirable consequences.
