Evaluation of furazolidone, sulfadimidine and amprolium to treat coccidiosis in beetal goats under field conditions

Coccidiosis is a protozoal and occasionally fatal diarrheic disease of goats imposing heavy economic losses to farming community. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacies of Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium against coccidiosis in Beetal goats. Twenty-four [24] Beetal goats naturally infected with coccidiosis were randomly divided into four groups of 6 [A-D]. Goats in groups A, B and C were treated orally with Furazolidone [10mg/Kg], Sulfadimidine [100mg/Kg] and Amprolium [55mg/Kg], respectively for 7 days. Goats in-group D served as positive control. Oocysts per gram [OPG] of feces counts of individual goats in each group were performed on Days; 0 [pre-treatment] 7, 14 and 21 [post-treatment]. OPG counts amongst goats in all groups at day 0 were not significant [P>0.05]. On days 7, 14 and 21, OPG values decreased significantly [P<0.05] in groups A, B and C compared to group D. The efficacy of Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium was 98.6, 98.0 and 99.6 percent, respectively on Day 21 [end of trial]. Statistically, the efficacies of three drugs were not significantly different [P>0.05]. In conclusion, Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium are well-tolerated and any one of these may be recommended to effectively treat coccidiosis in Beetal goats

Prolonged oral cyanide effects on feed intake, growth rate and blood parameters in rabbits

Twelve adult rabbits bred locally were divided into two equal groups of 6; experimental and control groups. Rabbits in the experimental group were orally dosed with KCN at 3mg/kg body weight for 40 consecutive days. Members in control group were given placebo [distilled water] for the same period. Animals in both groups were offered feed at 90gm/kg/day while ample drinking water was available ad lib. Feed consumption and body weight of rabbits in both the groups were recorded. Blood samples were also drawn to determine various hematological parameters. Statistical analysis revealed a non-significant difference of total and daily feed intakes in rabbits of experimental and control groups. Whereas the feed efficiency of rabbits in the experimental group were significantly reduced [P<0.05] compared to controls. Likewise a significant decrease in body weight gain of rabbits in experimental group [P<0.05] was observed. A non-significant difference [P>0.05] was observed in leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count and platelets of rabbits in both the groups. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were significantly decreased in treated rabbits. It was concluded that chronic cyanide intake had a deleterious effect on feed efficiency, growth rate and blood components of rabbits