Abstract:
Helminth infections are a major cause for reduced productivity of goats. Antihelmethes are expensive and the use of
them has found to develop multi drug resistance in animals and human as well. Therefore cheap, safe and effective anti
helmenthes are required. In ethno-veterinary practices, many herbal materials are used as anti helminthes. Objective
of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Erythroxylum moonii (Batakirilla] as an antihelminthes in goat. The
experiment followed a completely randomized block design with four replicate goats per each treatment. Two groups
were given E. moonii powder mixed with water either at 10 or 20% of their daily concentrate allowance. The goats in
control group received Interzan (Levamesole HC130mg/ml and Oxaclosanide 60mg/ml mixture]. A booster dose was
given to E. moonii treated animals 21 days after the first dose. Daily feacal egg count of the each animal was determined
using McMaster Chamber technique for 35 days, commencing 7 days before the treatment. The initial feacal egg count
(EPG] (before the treatments] of the goats were as high as 3200. The feacal egg count of the goats given E. moonii 10 and
20% were significantly lower than those given Interzan. 20% E. moonii was more effective than 10% . The percentage
reduction in feacal egg count for 10 and 20% E. moonii treated goats were as high as 75 and 53% compared to 25%
found for Interzan treated group. The weekly live weight gain of the goat treated with Interzan (450g), 10% E. moonii
(770g] and 20% E. moonii (1060g] were significantly different from each other. 10 and 20% E. moonii resulted in 41
and 135% weight gain increase compared to the weight gain of Interzan group. It is concluded that E. moonii acts as an
effective anti helminthes and improves the weight gain in helmenth infested goats.
