Comparative study of the efficacies of two brands of Ivermectin on Acarina ticks of cattle

Abstract

The efficacies of two brands of ivermectin on acarina ticks of cattle were studied in a herd of 12 N'dama crosses at Ijebu – Igbo, Ogun State. All the animals were naturally infested with Boophilus decoloratus,Hyalomma truncatum and Rhipicephalus evertsi. They were randomly divided into three groups of four animals each. Animals in groups A and B were treated with Ivojec® and Ivomec® respectively at a dose of 0.2mg / kg body weight subcutaneously. Animals in group C were left untreated. The animals were observed over a period of 28 days during which the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values and presence or absence of ticks were determined weekly. By the 7th day post – treatment, all treated animals were free of ticks while untreated animals had tick infestation throughout the course of study. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the post treatment mean PCV values between treated and untreated animals. This study therefore shows that Ivojec® is as effective as Ivomec® in the control of acarina ticks, even though its price is a third of that of Ivomec® in the Nigerian market.


(Af. J. of Livestock Extension: 2003 2: 44-46)