Abstract:
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) pose a significant health challenge to goats, affecting productivity and welfare in rural areas. Chemical anthelmintics like albendazole are commonly used for nematode control, but concerns about drug resistance have led to exploring natural alternatives like neem leaf powder.
This research study was carried out at Okello Goat Farm in Arapai Sub-County. The primary objective was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of crude neem leaf powder and 12.5% albendazole in managing various gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. The study considered purposively 21 infected goats divided into three groups that is Albendazole, Neem, and Control clusters. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed at the Busitema University Arapai Campus laboratory using the modified McMaster technique to quantify nematode egg counts. Fecal egg counts for each nematode species were recorded on Days 0, 7, 14, and 28. Neem leaf powder was prepared by harvesting mature neem leaves and drying them under the shade for about 10 days then grind into fine powder which was then mixed with water to make the drug.
The results obtained showed that Haemonchus was the most prevalent species, accounting for 407 instances, representing 49.7% of the total nematode population, making it the dominant parasite in the area. Trichostrongylus followed with 282 occurrences, constituting 34.4% of the total, contributing significantly to the GIN burden despite being less common than Haemonchus.
Nematodirus the least common, with 130 cases, representing 15.9% of the total nematodes found. On the other hand, results showed that both albendazole and neem significantly reduced egg counts, with albendazole achieving complete elimination of eggs by Day 14. For albendazole-treated goats, egg counts for Haemonchus, Nematodirus, and Trichostrongylus were reduced to zero by Day 14 with p-values of 0.010, 0.001 and 0.001 respectively. Neem leaf powder also showed significant reductions in egg counts, although full elimination occurred later, by Day 28 (p-values ranging from 0.021 to 0.032) indicating that neem effectively reduced egg counts but with a delayed response compared to albendazole. In the control group, egg counts remained unchanged throughout the study.
In conclusion, both albendazole and neem leaf powder effectively reduce gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats, with neem serving as a sustainable alternative suitable for organic farming.
