Comparative efficacy of Calotropis procera latex and sulfadimidine against experimentally-induced Eimeria ovinoidalis infection in Najdi lambs

• Published in: Small ruminant research Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 135 - 140
• Main Authors: Mahmoud, O.M, Haroun, E.M, Sobaih, M.A, Omer, O.H, Adam, S.E.I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2001
• Subjects: Calotropis procera latex; Coccidiosis; Efficacy; Lambs; Sulfadimidine; Sulfadimidine; Efficacy; Calotropis procera latex; Coccidiosis; Lambs
• ISSN: 0921-4488; 1879-0941
• DOI: 10.1016/S0921-4488(01)00237-1

The comparative anticoccidial activity of Calotropis procera latex and sulfadimidine was examined in experimental Eimeria ovinoidalis infection in Najdi lambs which had been infected with single oral doses of 150,000 infective oocysts. Bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, anorexia, moderate dehydration, denudation of intestinal epithelium, presence of schizonts and cellular infiltration, decreases in the values of packed cell volume, hemoglobin and serum sodium concentration and increases in serum potassium levels characterized coccidiosis in Najdi lambs. In lambs treated with single oral doses of 0.02 ml/kg body weight of C. procera latex or 2 g/kg body weight of sulfadimidine, oocysts production was considerably suppressed 4 days post-treatment and feces were completely free from oocysts between 7 and 17 days after treatment with both C. procera latex and sulfadimidine. These findings were accompanied by a return of normal appetite and activity, regular pelleted feces and markedly reduced number of schizonts in intestinal cells. Although bouts of diarrhea were severe post-infection, the concentration of serum sodium returned to normal but that of potassium remained high after therapy with C. procera latex and sulfadimidine. Repetition of dosing lambs with C. procera latex and sulfadimidine was suggested.