Imidox Injection

COMPOSITION
Imidocarb dipropionate 120 mg/mL (≡ imidocarb 85 mg/mL).

ACTIONS
Imidocarb dipropionate is a derivative of the carbanilide antiprotozoals. Although the exact mode of action of the drug is not known, a possible mechanism is interference with cellular repair and replication through binding with DNA. Imidocarb is highly effective against infections caused by Babesia sp. and Anaplasma sp.
Babesiosis. Also known as tick fever or redwater, babesiosisis caused by tick borne protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesiosis is characterised by fever, anaemia, icterus and haemoglobinuria. It is a widespread disease most common in tropical regions where the cattle tick Boophilus microplus is abundant. The most significant parasites causing babesiosis in cattle are Babesia bovis and B. bigemina.
In endemic areas, infection with Babesia is acquired by calves at a young age but infection does not manifest as clinical disease due to natural resistance. Animals infected early act as carriers of infection, remaining immune to clinical disease as long as infection persists. Reinfection constantly occurs in endemic areas. Without reinfection, immunity is lost within several months and clinical disease results.
Clinical disease most commonly occurs when: susceptible cattle are transported from a nonendemic to an endemic region; contact occurs between infected and noninfected cattle; epidemics occur following introduction of infection to nonendemic areas or sudden increases in tick populations where environmental conditions are favourable; the tick vector population drops due to altered weather patterns or institution of tick control measures, reducing reinfection rate and therefore immunity.
Treatment of clinical cases of babesiosis with Imidox is most effective when cattle are treated early in the course of the disease and in combination with supportive therapy such as provision of shade. When disease is severe, repeat treatment with Imidox may be required after 24 hours.
Sterilisation of infection with Imidox results in complete elimination of babesial parasites from carrier animals. Elimination of carriers is necessary when movement of cattle from an endemic to a nonendemic area would otherwise result in infection of susceptible cattle.
Prevention of Babesia infection may be achieved by treatment of susceptible animals with Imidox prior to introduction into an endemic area. Over time, the level of imidocarb in the animal’s body diminishes, allowing a small number of parasites to establish infection while the animal is still protected by the drug. The result is the development of immunity to disease without the occurrence of clinical signs. However, if there is no exposure to infection during the period of waning imidocarb levels, the animal will become susceptible to clinical disease. One dose of Imidox will provide protection from infection for up to four weeks. Imidox is useful for protection against babesiosis when a short passage through an endemic area is planned for a herd of susceptible cattle. Outbreaks of babesiosis may be controlled by administration of preventive doses of Imidox to all animals exposed to infection, however vaccination will still be necessary at a later time.
Anaplasmosis. This is a tick borne disease caused by the rickettsial organism Anaplasma marginale which parasitises red blood cells. The course of the disease may be prolonged over months. The severity of disease resulting from infection tends to increase with age, reaching up to 50% mortality in susceptible adult cattle.
The clinical signs of anaplasmosis relate to the acute anaemia that results and include fever, jaundice and emaciation. Decreased milk production and abortion are common. The clinical signs of anaplasmosis and babesiosis are similar but the dose rates for their treatment differ. It is therefore important to prepare blood smears from suspect cases for laboratory examination in order to distinguish between them. Imidox is an effective treatment for anaplasmosis at the recommended dose rate. Supportive therapy should be instituted, including provision of shade and plenty of feed and water. In severe cases, blood transfusion may be required. Recovered animals should be monitored for about four weeks following treatment, as retreatment may be necessary if relapse occurs. Where anaplasmosis has been diagnosed and clinically ill animals are treated with Imidox, the remaining animals in the herd should be vaccinated with an anaplasmosis vaccine. To reduce risk of transmission of the disease, the herd should be dipped several times for tick control.

INDICATIONS
Treatment and prevention of babesiosis and treatment of anaplasmosis in cattle.

PRESENTATION
100 mL sterile multidose vial

STORAGE
Store between 2 and 8°C. (Refrigerate. Do not freeze.) Protect from light. Use the contents of the vial within 28 days of initial broaching and discard any unused portion.

PRECAUTIONS
Avoid intravenous administration.
Withholding Periods Meat 28 days. Milk Do not use in lactating cows when milk or milk products may be used for human consumption.
Export Slaughter Interval None established; contact manufacturer before use.