Document Type
Article
DOI
10.25778/5sfw-ze15
Abstract
An increase in the anthelmintic resistance of parasites in small ruminants and a push towards non-chemical farming has led researchers to search for alternative forms of anthelmintics. The efficacy of treating sheep by using natural garlic extract with respect to changes in weight, fecal egg counts (FEC), and packed cell volume (PCV) was investigated. Sheep were treated every 4 weeks for 8 weeks with saline (control) Ivermectin, or natural garlic extract and samples were collected weekly to determine FEC and PCV. Sheep were weighed at the time of sample collection to determine weight change. There were no significant differences between the Ivermectin and natural garlic extract treated sheep with respect to weight changes, FEC or PCV. The Ivermectin and natural garlic extract treated sheep had significantly greater (P < 0.05) weight changes and PCV compared to the control. The control sheep had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) FEC compared to the Ivermectin and natural garlic extract treated sheep. Administering natural garlic extract as anthelmintic is a variable alternative to Ivermectin.
Recommended Citation
Curry, A. and B. D. Whitaker. 2010. Garlic as an Alternative Anthelmintic in Sheep. Virginia Journal of Science 61 (1 & 2): 4-9.