Ivermectin treatment of free-ranging endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups: effect on hookworm and lice infection status, haematological parameters, growth, and survival

摘要: A placebo-controlled study was used to investigate the effectiveness of ivermectin treat hookworm (Uncinaria sanguinis) and lice (Antarctophthirus microchir) infections in free-ranging Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups test hypotheses that these parasitic cause anaemia, systemic inflammatory responses, reduced growth, contribute towards decreased pup survival. Ivermectin identified as an effective safe anthelmintic this species. Pups administered had significantly higher erythrocyte counts lower eosinophil compared controls at 1–2 months post-treatment, confirming U. sanguinis and/or A. microchir are causatively associated with disease demonstrating positive effect treatment on clinical health parameters. Higher growth rates were not seen ivermectin-treated and, unexpectedly, relatively older treated demonstrated when matched saline-control pups. Differences survival between groups; however, attributed unexpectedly low mortality rate recruited pups, likely due unintended recruitment bias >1–2 age for which infection is less likely. This finding highlights logistical practical challenges treating species shortly after birth a remote colony. informs assessment use anthelmintics tool conservation management wildlife outlines essential steps further development strategies ensure its fauna.