COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF NEEM AND IVERMECTIN AGAINST ECTOPARASITES OFCATTLE AT SYLHET

Abstract

The research work was carried out on 25 cattle for 28 days and observed on 7 days after treatment to investigate the efficacy of indigenous medicinal plant (Neem) and Ivermectin against ectoparasites (Ticks) in cattle and to determine the comparative effects of Neem (Neem leaf 15%, Neem seed 15%, Neem oil 7%) and Ivermectin (injectable formulation) on certain hematological parameters (Hb, PCV, and TEC) in cattle. Ticks infestation was examined physically on individual animal. The procedure of examination was to count the adult tick of para lumber region with an area of 6×5 i.e. 30 square cm. The selected 30 square cm were marked with a permanent color and ticks within this area were counted at pre-treatment and post- treatment period. In control group T0 ticks were gradually increased on 7 th th st days of treatment. On the other hand , group of T1, T2, T3 treated with Neem leaf, Neem seed, Neem oil showed variable efficacy ectoparasites infestation by killing ticks i.e. Neem leaf -68.40%, Neem seed- 60%, Neem oil -57%, whereas, Ivermectin showed 100% efficacy in group T4 within 14 th , 14 , 21 , and 28 days of treatment. The body weight of parasitic infected cattle was increased significantly after administration of Neem (Neem leaf 15%, Neem seed 15%, Neem oil 7%) and Ivermectin. It might be due to proper digestion, absorption and metabolism of feed nutrient because of absence of ectoparasitic infection. The present findings support the earlier observation of Kalakumar et al. (2000), Shrivastava and Das (2003). In the present study effectiveness of Ivermectin against ectoparasites infestation was quite higher than Neem leaf, Neem seed, Neem oil. The efficacy was detected by physical examination. The present findings support the earlier observation of Imrul (1997), Ninkov and Savin (1986), Pedroso et al.(1994); Thompson et al.(1994), Titcherer et al. (1994) and Sangwan et al (1995), Yazwinski et al. (1997) who reported 90% to 100% efficiency of Ivermectin against tick infestation in cattle. The hematological changes in cattle affected with the ectoparasites were determined at pre and post treatment period dosed with Ivermectin and Neem (Neem leaf 15%, Neem seed 15%, Neem oil 7%). The mean value of haemoglobin was decreased in the ectoparasites affected cattle (control group T0) and increased (group T1, group T2, group T3, group T4) significantly on 28 th days of treatment. The results are in agreement with the reports of Nettleton and Beekett (1996) and Anosa (1977).