Moxidectin
Encyclopedia
Moxidectin is a parasiticide used for the prevention and control of heartworm
and intestinal worms, and can be found in treatments prescribed for animals such as dog
s, cat
s, horse
s, cattle
and sheep. It is also used for the prevention of red mite in caged birds. Application methods for moxidectin vary by treatment, and include oral, topical, and injectable solutions. Cydectin Pour On is a trade name for a formualtion for use on cattle and red deer.
Moxidectin is a semisynthetic derivative of nemadectin (Asato & France 1990) which is produced by fermentation by Streptomyces cyano-griseus. This Streptomyces was discovered in a soil sample from Australia in the late 1980s collected by an agronimist working for the American Cyanamid company.
Moxidectin treats and controls some of the most common internal and external parasites by selectively binding to parasites’ glutamate-gated
chloride ion channel
s. These channels are vital to the function of invertebrate
nerve
and muscle cells; when moxidectin binds to the channels, it disrupts neurotransmission
, resulting in paralysis
and death of the parasite.
Studies of moxidectin show that side effects vary by animal and may be affected by the product’s formulation, application method and dosage. The products are usually recommended by a veterinarian
in order to ensure correct use and application. Herding dog
s may be avermectin
-sensitive, but avermectin sensitive dogs can tolerate standard doses for heartworm prevention. Moxidectin is apparently safe for collie breeds. As a heartworm preventative, moxidectin can be injected once every 6 months under the brand name Proheart6, or every 12 months under the brand name Proheart SR 12.
Moxidectin is the subject of a trial to assess its suitability, as an alternative to ivermectin, to treat onchocerciasis
in humans.
Heartworm
Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes. The heartworm is a type of filaria, a small thread-like worm. The definitive host is the dog but it can also infect cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals, such as ferrets, sea lions and...
and intestinal worms, and can be found in treatments prescribed for animals such as dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
s, cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
s, horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s, cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
and sheep. It is also used for the prevention of red mite in caged birds. Application methods for moxidectin vary by treatment, and include oral, topical, and injectable solutions. Cydectin Pour On is a trade name for a formualtion for use on cattle and red deer.
Moxidectin is a semisynthetic derivative of nemadectin (Asato & France 1990) which is produced by fermentation by Streptomyces cyano-griseus. This Streptomyces was discovered in a soil sample from Australia in the late 1980s collected by an agronimist working for the American Cyanamid company.
Moxidectin treats and controls some of the most common internal and external parasites by selectively binding to parasites’ glutamate-gated
Glutamate transporter
Excitatory amino-acid transporters , formerly known as Glutamate transporters, belong to the family of neurotransmitter transporters. They serve to terminate the excitatory neurotransmitter signal by removal of glutamate from the neuronal synapse into Glia cells.In details, the EAATs are...
chloride ion channel
Chloride channel
Chloride channels are a superfamily of poorly understood ion channels consisting of approximately 13 members.Chloride channels display a variety of important physiological and cellular roles that include regulation of pH, volume homeostasis, organic solute transport, cell migration, cell...
s. These channels are vital to the function of invertebrate
Invertebrate
An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone. The group includes 97% of all animal species – all animals except those in the chordate subphylum Vertebrata .Invertebrates form a paraphyletic group...
nerve
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
and muscle cells; when moxidectin binds to the channels, it disrupts neurotransmission
Neurotransmission
Neurotransmission , also called synaptic transmission, is the process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by a neuron , and bind to and activate the receptors of another neuron...
, resulting in paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
and death of the parasite.
Studies of moxidectin show that side effects vary by animal and may be affected by the product’s formulation, application method and dosage. The products are usually recommended by a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
in order to ensure correct use and application. Herding dog
Herding dog
A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding...
s may be avermectin
Avermectin
The avermectins are a series 16-membered macrocyclic lactone derivatives with potent anthelmintic and insecticidal properties. These naturally occurring compounds are generated as fermentation products by Streptomyces avermitilis, a soil actinomycete...
-sensitive, but avermectin sensitive dogs can tolerate standard doses for heartworm prevention. Moxidectin is apparently safe for collie breeds. As a heartworm preventative, moxidectin can be injected once every 6 months under the brand name Proheart6, or every 12 months under the brand name Proheart SR 12.
Moxidectin is the subject of a trial to assess its suitability, as an alternative to ivermectin, to treat onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis , also known as river blindness and Robles' disease, is a parasitic disease caused by infection by Onchocerca volvulus, a nematode . Onchocerciasis is the world's second-leading infectious cause of blindness. It is not the nematode, but its endosymbiont, Wolbachia pipientis, that...
in humans.