Jornal Europeu de Biologia Experimental Acesso livre

Abstrato

Efficacy of an indigenous veterinary medication to control endoparasite infestation in clinically diagnosed large ruminants affected with diarrhoea amongst field conditions: Gujarat, India

Sitaben Lasiabhai R. Gaikwad, Dayabhai N. Ramana, Rahametkhan P. Solanki, Lakhabhai B. Khatana, Gohil Nanuben K., Vasava Natvarbhai G., Purshotam Patel, Nirmal S. Sahay, Jayshree Patel, Ravikumar R. K., Pawan K. Singh, Amol S. Kinhekar and Vipin Kumar

Endoparasite infestation is a common ailment affecting livestock production system in tropical regions of the world. Worm infestation in adult animals affects digestive capacity, results in depression and decrease in milk production. The lack of awareness in control measures for endoparasite causes stunted growth, poor welfare and mortality among calves. Stakeholders such as animal husbandry department, dairy cooperative societies had extensively advocated deworming campaign and provision of medication. However, limited evidenceswere available in engaging farmers to comprehend and make use of locally available low cost technologies. Indigenous veterinary system has been forefront in control of endoparasite infestation globally over several centuries. Knowledge holders of this system were held in high esteem in their village institutions, but younger generation are not keen to painstakingly follow and learn the usage of these folkloric systems. This experimental research study was aimed to test an endoparasite medication developed based on the knowledge of indigenous veterinary healers under field conditions. Animals in the study were clinically examined for symptoms of diarrhoea and observed57.14 percent incidence ofworm infestation among them. Villagers, particularly youth were involved throughout the observation period of experimentation and findings were shared with them.The mean Parasitic Egg Count (PEC) was found to be 60±27.27 (x̄±α) before the start of treatment. The indigenous herbal medication had reduced PEC to 12.50 ± 16.55 (x̄±α) after treatment. The study showed that the indigenous veterinary medication had significantly reduced the worm infestation at 5 percent level of significance. The broad-spectrum efficacy of indigenous veterinary medication was confirmed during the experimental period of nine days duration. The research study illustrated the need for engaging livestock owners and to successfully demonstrate such technologies for sustaining indigenous knowledge systems.