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In a female dog with unspecific clinical symptoms, sonography detected a hyperechoic mass in the middle abdomen and blood analysis a middle grade systemic inflammatory reaction. Laparotomy revealed a peritoneal larval cestodosis (PLC). The diagnosis of an infection with tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides spp. was confirmed by parasitological examination and molecularbiological analysis. Reduction of the intra-abdominal parasitic load as well as a high dose administration of fenbendazole over 3 months led to a successful treatment which could be documented sonographically and by decreased concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP). Seven months after discontinuation of fenbendazole administration, PLC recurred, pre-empted by an elevation of serum CRP values. According to the literature a life-long fenbendazole treatment was initiated. In cases of unclear chronic granulomatous inflammations in the abdominal cavity in dogs, PLC should be considered. CRP concentration and sonographic examinations are suitable to control for treatment success and a possibly occurring relapse.

A 2-year-old female spayed Epagneul-Breton dog was presented with ecchymoses, but an undisturbed general condition. Clinical examination additionally revealed petechia and a haematoma. Travel history included Italy and Denmark. Laboratory abnormalities were moderate thrombocytopenia, prolonged PT, aPTT and TT, and elevated d-dimers. Initial therapy consisted of plasma transfusions, fluids, doxycycline and famotidine administration. Babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis or anaplasmosis could not be confirmed. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable, while thoracic radiographs showed a bronchointerstitial pattern. Faecal samples collected over 3 days were positive for Angiostrongylus vasorum after examination using the Baermann lungworm test. The A. vasorum infection was successfully treated with fenbendazole, whereupon thrombocytopenia and prolonged coagulation times were resolved. In regions of low prevalence, an infection with A. vasorum should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with coagulation abnormalities. Respiratory signs can be absent with this disease. The patient may have acquired the infection abroad or in Germany.

In 17 goats the therapeutical outcome of cerebrospinal nematodiasis, a parasitic infection in the central nervous system with the nematode Elaphostrongylus cervi, is described. The diagnosis was made on the basis of physical findings and cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia. The therapy was based on the administration of a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (flunixin meglumine) and two anthelmintics (fenbendazol, ivermectin) for five days. The response to therapy was documented immediately and 30 days after therapy and by owners report up to 30 months. Eleven goats (64.7%) showed an improvement of the neurological signs directly after therapy. Three had a complete recovery. Signs of a light and middle ataxie were still present in 6 and 2 goats, respectively. Six recumbent goats (35.3%) had to be euthanasied because of a non-therapeutical response. This study has shown a clinical impression of successful use of flunixin meglumine, fenbendazole and ivermectin in goats with light to middle neurological signs. The goats could accommodate the remaining ataxia without showing a reduced production. Goats with high neurological deficits could not be successful treated based on the high degree of the neurological damage.

Visceral Larva migrans (VLM) is a parasite, which produces a disease by nematode species. Specific hosts are certain mammals. After penetrating the human organism, these parasites never mature to adult worms but can produce a lot of various symptoms which are dependent on the kind of manifestation. Perilous illnesses are described. The incidence is undoubtedly more than is realized. A new microprecipitation test has proved to be highly specific for the diagnosis. An effective nontoxic treatment in human medicine--exept for mebendazole--was not known until now. We report about the illness of a patient with all typical laboratory findings and clinical signs. The application of Fenbendazole for the first time in humans showed to be highly effective against this ubiquitous illness.

The discharging of the first larvae of Distyocaulus viviparus, Varestrongylus sagittatus and Elaphostrongylus cervi is regulated by a seasonal rhythm. This rhythm was studied in a deer population of 150 +/- 10 animals over a period of 4 years. The maximum discharges of D. viviparus are in May and June and those of the 2 other species are in the time from February to April. Very good results of treatment were achieved with 3 X 7.5 mg and 5 X 3 mg Fenbendazole/kg live weight against D. viviparus and E. cervi. A dose of 5 X 3 mg Fenbendazole proved to have quite a good effect against V. sagittatus. The most favourable time of treatment is late November or early December.

Echinococcus multilocularis-infected NMRI-mice treated with Fenbendazole show a lower antibody titer in the immuno-fluorescence test than the untreated controls. Between animals, which were infected with different parasite strains, also differences in the antibody titer are to be seen. The same applies to animals, which were dissected at different times p.i. as well: With increasing duration of the infection it was observed a higher titer. The mentioned differences are chiefly due to the close positive correlation between worm burden, gamma-globuline content of the serum and antibody titer.

Application of fenbendazole (methyl-5-(phenyl-thio)-benzimidazole-2-carbamate) in Echinococcus multilocularis infected mice showed a significant efficiency on the development of the cysts; the worm burden and the number of protoscolices were significantly reduced in the treated animals in comparison with the non-treated control mice. The degree of efficiency was subject to the way of application, the duration of medication, and the parasite strain: 1. On application of f. as medicated feed (500 ppm) worm burden and protoscolex number were reduced the most an average parasite weight of 105 mg and 2 protoscolices against 1942 mg and 99 protoscolices. Treatment by oral application with emulsion of 2.5% (1 ml/mouse/day, 5 x per week over a period of 2--5.5 months) the efficiency was less expressed (845 mg, 53 protoscolices). 2. By extending the treatment from 60 to 102 and 165 days resp. the reduction of worm burden can be increased from 81 to 95%. 3. From 2 parasite strains one which was recently isolated from a fox, reacted more on the treatment than the other one: 85 mg parasite weight against 1218 mg in the nontreated controls. On the other strain continued since about 25 years by intraperitoneal inoculation, the efficiency was more reduced: The worm burden was 866 against 2666 mg in the control mice.

By means of coproscopical examination the anthelmintic efficacy of 5.0 mg fenbendazole/kg body weight and 0.714 mg/kg body weight, administered for seven consecutive days, was determined in three series of trials on small ruminants in the zoological gardens of Munich. Both doses proved to be highly effective against trichostrongylids; the egg output was reduced to an average of 100% and 80-100%, respectively. Despite of a partly lower efficiency after the multiple administration of a low level doses (7 x 0.714 mg fenbendazole/kg body weight) this is a sufficient and economical treatment for the control of the infestation with endoparasites in the - in this respect - difficult housing systems of zoological gardens.