THE PRESERVATION OF TRICLABENDAZOLE IN BAITS FOR FREE-LIVING RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS L.) DURING THE PRE-CONSUMMATION PERIOD.

Triclabendazole is anthelmintic drug that is among other successfully used to control large American liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) infections in several deer species. In attempts to control deer fascioloidosis, medicated corn was the main route of triclabendazole administration. However, despite the fact that medicated feed offers several advantages fortreatment of wild animals, its efficacy largely depends on the amount of active ingredient that may be influenced by prolonged preconsummation period, rainfalls, freezing, handling, etc. In this study selected mixture (according to handling characteristics and attractiveness to deer species) and corn alone were treated with Fasinex® 10%, exposed to environmental conditions and analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography after 1, 3 and 5 days (expected time of consummation). Both baits proved to be an excellent triclabendazole carrier containing on average 31.76 g/kg of triclabendazole per kg of mixture and 30.18 g of triclabendazole per kg of corn after five days of pre-consummation period. However, majority of triclabendazole in medicated corn was kept on its surface, thusly being highly sensitive to environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]