COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF DADMARDAN, NEEM AND IVERMECTIN AGAINST SKIN LESIONS IN CALVES AND GOATS

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative efficacy of indigenous medicinal plants, dadmardan (Cassia alata) and neem (Azadiracta indica) and ivermectin against skin lesions in calves and goats. Twelve calves of 8- 12 months and twelve goats of 1-2 years of age irrespective of sex having skin lesions (ringworm, scabies, humpsore, wounds) were used in the experiment. Selected calves and goats were divided into four equals groups (group A,BC and D), each group consists of 3 calves and 3goats. The group A kept as control group. The group B was treated with ivermectin (Cevamec 1%^(R) @200 ug/kg body weight subcutaneously ,group C with dadmardan ointment (30%) ointment topically  and group D with 30% combined ointment(dadmardan and neem leaves) topically. Calves and goats treated with ivermectin were almost cured within18 days and the rate of healing was 98.36% & 99.03% respectively whereas animals treated with dadmardan ointment cured at 30^thdays of treatment  in calves and at 27^thdays of treatment in goats and  the rate of healing was 99.80% & 99.88%  respectively and those treated with  combined ointments of dadmardan and neem leaves cured at 27^thdays of treatment  in calves and at 24^th day of treatment in goats  and the rate of healing was 99.94% & 99.35% respectively. Ivermectin treatment was more effective in comparison to other treatments considering the time required for healing. On the other hand, treatment with the onitmemts of indigenous medicinals plants were more effective considering the rate of healing. It may be concluded that the ointments of indigenous medicinals plants (dadmardan ointment and the combined ointment of dadmardan and neem leaves) may be used as alternative drugs for the treatment of skin lesions in calves and goats.