What is Avermectin?
Avermectins are a range of drugs and insecticides used to treat parasitic diseases and reduce pests. They are a group of 16-membered macrolide derivatives with powerful anthelmintic and insecticidal properties.
Once applied, the drug binds selectively and with high affinity to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels, which are prevalent in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells. This binding causes an increase in the permeability of the cell membrane to chloride ions, resulting in hyperpolarization of the nerve or muscle cell and paralysis and death of the parasite.
What are Avermectins side effects?
1. Nervous system response
Avermectin acts by interfering with the parasite's nervous system, but in some sensitive animals it may affect the animal's central nervous system, especially if the drug is overdosed. Common symptoms include:
Lethargy, ataxia (unsteady walking), tremors or muscle weakness, convulsions, and difficulty breathing.
Some animal species are more sensitive to avermectin, especially certain dogs (e.g. sheepdogs and collies), so it should be used with caution.
2. Allergic reactions
Individual animals may have an allergic reaction to avermectin as indicated by:
Redness or itching of the skin, and in severe cases anaphylactic shock may occur (very rare)
3. Gastrointestinal symptoms
In some cases, animals may experience mild gastrointestinal reactions such as:
Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
4. Localized reactions
When transdermal solutions are applied, some animals may have localized reactions to the site of drug contact, such as skin irritation or redness. If the animal licks the site where the drug is applied, this may trigger adverse reactions in the oral cavity and digestive tract.
Precautions
Correct dosage: before use, the drug should be administered strictly in accordance with the recommended dosage according to the weight and species of the animal to avoid overdose.
Use with caution in sensitive breeds: such breeds as Collies and Shepherds in the canine species are sensitive to avermectin drugs and should be used with caution.
Follow veterinary advice: when using avermectin, especially for animals with health problems or special needs, follow the professional advice of your veterinarian.