Source: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY submitted to
A STUDY OF THE CONTROL OF INTERNAL PARASITES AND COCCIDIA IN SMALL RUMINANTS THROUGH THE USE OF HERBS AND NATURAL PLANTS TREATMENTS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
EVANS-ALLEN
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0198270
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
MOX-AS2003-12B
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2003
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2006
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Swartz, H.
Recipient Organization
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
JEFFERSON CITY,MO 65101
Performing Department
AGRICULTURE
Non Technical Summary
Anthelmintics for deworming sheep and goats are both very costly as some producers deworm in the summer every three weeks. Goats are more susceptable to internal parasites than sheep and need a higher dosage of anthelmintic when deworming. Goat and sheep producers are now turning to herbs, spices and other natural plants to help keep down internal parasites and coccidia in the gut, lungs and sinuses. This research will gather data to determine if common herbs, spices and natural plants ingredients can be a less costly means of deworming and reducing worms and coccidia in sheep and goats.
Animal Health Component
45%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
45%
Applied
45%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3133610118067%
3133820118033%
Knowledge Area
313 - Internal Parasites in Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3610 - Sheep, live animal; 3820 - Goats, meat, and mohair;

Field Of Science
1180 - Pharmacology;
Goals / Objectives
1. To conduct trials comparing the treatment of sheep and goats with commercial anthelmintics compared to herbs, spices and alternative plants to control and treat internal parasites and coccidia, the major problem in the summertime in Missouri in the sheep and goat industry that inhibits the growth and productivity of small ruminants and often results in mortality. 2.To conduct an economic assessment and comparison of a commercial anthelmintic to herbs, spices and alternative plant ingredients known by sheep and goat producers for the control and treatment of internal parasites and coccid.
Project Methods
Objective 1: The hair sheep, Katahdin breed and the wooled breed and also the out-of-season breeders,Dorset and Boer goats will each be divided into three groups in equal numbers: a control group that will receive no anthelmintics or coccidiastat, a group that will be treated with Avermectin, trade name, Ivomec given at 200ug/kg to control the larvae,roundworms and lung worms in sheep and goats and also the external parasites such as the sucking lice and bots that reside in the nose of sheep and goats plus lasalocid, trade name,Bovatec, that will be included in the feed to prevent coccidiosis in the sheep and goats at 30gms./ton of feed. The third group will receive a blend of gentian, Gentiana Lutea, fennel,Foeniculum vulgare, psyllium Plantaga ovata and ginger, Zingiber officinale in equal parts added to the feed to control the gastrointestinal parasites and an equal mixture of cloves and cinnamon to prevent coccidiosis. Fecal samples will be collected every three weeks at the start of this study and will continuing throughout the duration of the study (sping-winter) Fecal counts will identify the species of ova of the gastrointestinal parasites and Eimeria spp.that cause coccidia. Objective 2: Results obtained from the sheep and goat study comparing commercial anthelmintics to herbs, spices and natural products will be subjected to economic analysis using techniques reported in the literature. Results will be analyzed utilizing an economic spreadsheet system. Costs will be calculated for the weight gains and mortality rates in each treatment analyzing for differences and overall economic feasibility.

Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

Outputs
A study for 2006 consisted of Katahdin hair sheep, Dorset wool sheep and Boer goats using herbs as a dewormer compared to a commercial dewormer, IVOMEC. The results are positive in lowering fecal egg counts using herbs compared to the control except in the month of August for the Dorset sheep. The Katahdin hair sheep and Boer meat goats had a very positive response. The FAMACHA program looking at anemia by examining the eyelids was compared with hematocrits in FY2006. Sheep and goat producers are looking forward to using our recommendations from our findings to deworm their animals. In addition, coocidia are also reported when examining the fecal egg counts. One more year is needed in collecting data before publishing in a refereed journal.

Impacts
Releasing information on how to use herbs as a dewormers in quantity will help reduce the cost of dewormers for the barberpole Haemonchus contortus stomach worms that are killers in the hot summer months. Resistance of worms to commercial dewormers is great and using the herbs as a replacement will save not only on cost but labor in deworming sheep and goats.

Publications

  • Effect of Deworming Dorset and Katahdin sheep and Boer goats with herbs. Schulte, J.D., H. A. Swartze, A. N. Stewart, F. P. Wulff and M. R. Ellersieck. 2006, 14th Biennial Research Symposium, Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, Georgia.


Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/06

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The major objective of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of herbs as an anthelmintic in sheep and goats. Trials were conducted each summer and comparisons were made between controls (receiving no herbal treatment) and treated (herbal mixture). The treated group of goats and katahdin sheep received 5.5 g/head/d for each of the three years and the dorsets received 5.5 g/head/d in 2005. The treatment amount for the Dorsets was increased from 5.5 g/head/d to 11 g/head/d for 2006, because no treatment effect was demonstrated at the lower dose. The herbal treatment consisted of a mixture of wormwood (Artemisia sp.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), gentian (Gentian sp.) psyllium (Plantaga sp.) and quassia (Quassia sp). Fecal egg counts were determined in May and the end of August each summer. Fecal egg counts (FEC) were conducted to determine the number of strongyloides. The counts, therefore included Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia species and Trichostrongylus species. Number of animals per treatment ranged from 11 to 17 each year. Fecal egg count increased (P<.05) each year from May to August in all controls. Responses to treatment differed among breeds and species. Best responses to herbal treatment occurred in Katahdins, intermediate responses to treatment occurred in Boer goats and Dorsets never responded better than controls. Specifically, FEC's did not differ between May and August in 2006 and 2007 when Katahdins received the mixed herbs. There was no effect of treatment in 2005. Boers responded to treatment in 2006 and 2007, but not in 2005. The mixture of herbs used in this experiment did not show any protection against internal parasites in any trial conducted with the Dorsets. It is concluded from the results that the specific mixture of herbs fed to Katahdins and Boers is likely to protect against internal parasites. However, additional replications of this experiment will be required to provide more conclusive evidence. PARTICIPANTS: H.A. Swartz A. Stewart F. Wulff D. Sommerer TARGET AUDIENCES: Scientists, extension agents and sheep and goat producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Types of herbs were changed due to additional information becoming available after the project began suggesting that the mixture was likely to be the most effective. Did not use a coccidiastat because it was felt important to provide all the limited animal resources to determine the impact of the herbs.

Impacts
Internal parasites are a significant threat to sheep and goat producers in the Midwest, especially during the summer. The strongylid parasite, Hoemonchus contortus, is the greatest danger due to its ability to cause acute anemia which, under an extremely heavy infestation, can result in death. The current treatment for this is avermectin, but this is expensive and resistance to this chemical is being observed. An alternative and inexpensive treatment would be beneficial. The observation that mixed herbs appear to be effective in protecting against internal parasites provides an inexpensive method for sheep and goat producers to protect their animals. This could potentially result in increased profits for producers.

Publications

  • Schulte, J.D., Swartz, H.A., Stewart, A.N., Wulff, F.P., Ellersieck, M.R. 2006. Effects of Deworming Dorset and Katahdin Sheep, and Boer Goats with Herbs. ARD Research Symposium, 14th Biennial Research Symposium, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Swartz, H., Wulff, F., Stewart, A., Ellersieck, M. 2005. Effects of deworming hair sheep, wool sheep and meat goats with avermectin and herbs. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Supplement 1) p. 64.
  • Swartz, H.A., Stewart, A., Wulff, F.P., Sommerer, D., Ellersieck, M. 2007. Effects of herbal and chemical deworming agents on internal parasite control comparing fecal egg counts, hematocrits and FAMACHA on sheep and goats. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (Supplement 1) p. 251.
  • Martin, M., Stewart, A., Swartz, H.A. 2007. Effects of herbs on deworming lambs and kid goats. Mo. Junior Academy of Science, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO.


Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

Outputs
This is our second year of trials using herbs as a dewormer compared to avermectin with a control group. In 2005, we began with a dosage of moxidectin and began with a very low number of fecal egg counts (FEC) and hematocrits (Hct) of 30 to 32%. The three groups were: 1) an herbal treatment, 2) avermectin (Ivomec) and 3) a control are progressing on schedule with data collected on the three groups on 5/10/05, 6/27/05, 7/27/05, 8/23/05 and 9/20/05 collecting fecal egg counts (FEC) and measuring packed cell volume. Results of the first collection of FEC or eggs per gram (EPG) and PCV following moxidectin, on 5/10/05, the feeding of herbal dewormer and avermectin began and was given to the three groups, 1) Boer goat does, 2) Katahdin ewes and 3) Dorset ewes. Avermectin was drenched day 3 following the herbal treatment and repeated on August 26, 2005 on groups 1, 2 and 3. The herbal treatment was given in the feed throughout the trial once a week. Herbal Treatment: EPG average counts on 5/10/05 in Boer were 13.6 and Hct. 32.65. The highest count in the Boer was on 6/27/05 with 750 EPG count and the Katahdin EPG count starting on 5/10/05 was 12.5 and the highest count was 220.83 on 7/27/05 and lowest count in Hct. was 31.25 on 9/20/05. Dorsets low EPG count on 5/10/05 was 31.8 and Hct, 32.65. Dorset EPG on 7/27/05 was 1945.45 and Hct. 28.82. Avermectin Treatment: EPG average counts on 5/10/05 on Boers were 18.2 and Hct. 26.3, highest count of EPG was 2004.55 on 7/27/05 and lowest Hct. 23.50. Katahdin low EPG was 27.27 on 6/27/05 and highest 109.09 on 7/27/09 and Hct. low, 30.59 high, 32 on 7/27/05. Dorset low EPG 23.5 5/10/05 and high of 1500 on 9/20/05. Hct. low on Dorsets was 29.1 on 9/29/05 and high 33.18 on 6/27/05 Control Treatment: EPG average low count for Boers was 9.1 on 5/10/05 and Hct. 27.8. Highest count on Boers for EPG was 1213.64 on 7/27/05 and Hct. low was 24.86 on 7/27/05. Katahdin low EPG was 5/10/05 of 18.2 on 5/10/05 and high EPG of 63.64 on 9/20/05. Hct. on 5/10/06 was 26.3 and high of 33.36 on 7/27/05. Dorset EPG low of 23.50 on 5/10/05 and high Hct. 32.00, same date and highest EPG on 3431.82 on 7/27/05 and low Hct. 23.33 on 9/20/05.

Impacts
Haemonchus contortus, blood-sucking, barber pole, summer worms kill many sheep and goats. There is evidence that approved commercial dewormers for sheep and goats are no longer effective against this stomach worm. Herbal treatments would provide a new and natural method for control.

Publications

  • Swartz, H., Wulff, F., Stewart, A., Ellersieck, M. 2005. Effects of deworming hair sheep, wool sheep and meat goats with avermectin and herbs. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1):p.64.


Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03

Outputs
Fecal samples of the Katahdin, Dorset sheep and Boer goats and crosses have been collected and analyzed. All breeds have been lambing and kidding and we have 180% lambing and kidding rate. Preliminary studies show higher counts in the Boer goats than in the sheep. Post-parturient rise count in the fecal egg counts was found in both sheep and goats. Treatment groups will be divided May 1, 2004 into three groups, a control group, Ivomec group and herbal treatment group and the ewes and lambs, does and kids will be divided into three groups at random. Results will be analyzed by analysis of variance and regression.

Impacts
Results from this study will provide information on the effectiveness of selected herbs or spices in deworming sheep and goats and as a means to control other internal parasites. If results show that herbs and spices are effective, the economic impact will be great for our animals here at LU, in communities, on family farms and for 4-H/FFA students.The environmental impact of this work will be great if we can switch from using commercial anthelmintics to herbs for deworming sheep and goats effectively to control gastrointestinal parasites. Positive results would have a great impact on the attitude of small farmers being influenced by big companies now marketing commercial dewormers. No residue should result from the feeding of herbs as we observe with commercial anthelmintics.The consumption of lamb and goat meat with high quality protein content is of very great concern to consumers. Having meat healthy and not contaminated with drugs and other compounds of concern to the consumer is of great help in promoting lamb and kid meat.Using herbs as a dewormer, if effective, will give the consumer greater confidence in eating lamb and goat meat and putting this high quality protein in the diet free of fat.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period