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Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) as an anthelmintic in Djallonke goats
Abstract
An increase in the anthelmintic resistance of parasites in small ruminants and a push towards non -chemical farming necessitate the search for alternative forms of anthelmintic. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of garlic (Allium sativum) extract for controlling gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites in goats. One hundred and twenty West African Dwarf goats were involved, 60 each of young and adult goats. Three doses (2.5 ml, 5ml and 10 ml) of garlic extract, positive (albendazole) and negative (distilled water) controls were administered to equal numbers of young and adult goats. The overall infection rate of GIT parasites was 84%, and goats were equally (p>0.05) infected with strongyle spp. Eimeria spp. and tapeworm within the guinea savannah environment. Garlic extract at 5 ml and 10 ml doses were effective in reducing faecal egg counts (FECs) of strongyles spp. (p<0.05), tapeworm (p<0.05) and overall GIT parasites (p<0.05) populations. Similarly, all doses of garlic extract used were effective in reducing Eimeria spp. Garlic extract at 5 ml dose significantly (p<0.05) reduced Eimeria spp. and overall GIT parasites FEC in adult than in young goats. Garlic extract as an oral anthelmintic in goats is a viable option to commercially available chemicals, and 5 ml and 10 ml doses were effective in reducing the FECs of all the species of GIT parasites studied.