Impact of Herbal and Chemical Miticidal Treatments in Growth Performance in Pigs Infested with Sarcoptes scabiei

Abstract

The study evaluated the efficacy of two treatments – Ivermectin and a herbal mixture comprising Neem oil (50 ml), Karanj oil (50 ml) and Camphor (10 gm) – on the growth performance of pigs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei. Eighteen pigs with confirmed Sarcoptic mange were divided into three groups of six each. Group A received Ivermectin Group B was treated with the herbal mixture and Group C served as an untreated control. The long term application of Ivermectin and the herbal mixture (Neem oil-50 ml + Karanj oil-50 ml + Camphor -10 gm) control packages in pigs naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei were found to have significantly positive bearing on the growth performance of the ectoparasite control package (ECP) treated animals. The observations clearly revealed the corresponding increase in body weight of 8 kg and 8.66 kg in the Ivermectin and the herbal mixture treated pigs, respectively as compared to the infected untreated pigs. Both treatment groups exhibited significant improvements in growth rates compared to control groups.