Anthelmintics against Ascariasis in Calves Inducing Hematological Parameters and Live Weight Indices at Sylhet Dairy Farm, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fenbendazole and piperazine citrate against ascariasis in naturally infected calves of Sylhet Dairy Farm, Sylhet, Bangladesh. The study included 84 calves of which 40 were naturally infected and randomly selected 20 on the basis of their weight and egg count. Twenty calves of 1-8 month old irrespective of sex infested with ascariasis were selected for this experiment and randomly divided into four equal groups (group A, B, C and D) where each group consisted of 5 calves and calves of group D were kept as control group. Two fenbendazole (7.5 mg kgG 1 b.wt., orally) preparations (Globe Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Techno drugs Ltd., Bangladesh) and piperazine citrate (220 mg kgG 1 b.wt., orally) preparations (Ethical drugs Ltd., Bangladesh) were used for positive control of ascariasis as group A, B and C. Calves of group D was kept as control without giving any treatment. Objective: The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the effects of modern anthelmintics Fenvet ® (Fenbendazole), Peraclear ® (Fenbendazole) and Therazin ® (Piperazine citrate) against ascariasis in calves irrespective to the species involved and their effects on the basis of EPG (eggs per gram) count, body weight of calves and hematological parameters like Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), Hemoglobin (Hb%), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) were also included in this investigation. Results: Before trials (day 0), total egg count, blood samples and initial body weight were recorded. During the study period the fecal and blood samples were collected directly from rectum on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day and examined using McMaster fecal egg counting method. Body weights were recorded on day 0 and day 28 following the treatments. The results of the comparative efficacies of different anthelmintic of fenbendazole were 95.50 and 95.58%, followed by piperazine citrate 97.27%, respectively. McMaster fecal egg counting method discloses the percentage of prevalence of ascariasis 35.71% (1-2 months), 24.00% (3-4 months), 21.74% (5-6 months) and 18.18% (7-8 months), respectively. After treatment with fenbendazole and piperazine citrate, Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), Hemoglobin (Hb) content and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were increased significantly (p<0.01 and p>0.05) in calves but Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) were decreased significantly (p<0.05 and p>0.01) in all treated calves and body weight was increased significantly (p<0.01) on day 28. The farm management practices along with results of the present study revealed the efficacy of multiple anthelmintic against gastrointestinal nematodes in calves. Additional detailed studies are required to clarify the current status of the efficacy of the anthelmintic widely used in different agro ecologies, animal species and livestock management systems in Bangladesh.