Abstract Parasite resistance is at the forefront of the challenges small ruminant producers face in the United States. Alternative treatments have been explored to limit contribution to resistance and target internal parasite load; however, the efficacy of these treatments remain unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of an allopathic and homeopathic anthelmintic in small ruminants naturally infected with internal parasites. A total of 67 animals (Katahdin x Dorper ewes n = 49, rams n = 2; and Boer influenced does n = 16, bucks n = 1) were initially sampled for fecal analysis, where additional parameters like body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), and FAMACHA were also recorded. All fecal samples (Initial, D1, W1-W4) were analyzed for total eggs per gram (EPG) of feces using a modified McMaster technique without centrifugation. Following D1 (parturition) fecal sampling, 30 animals qualified for continuation in the study and anthelmintic treatment based on a threshold value of greater than or equal to 1000 total EPG. Animals were then evenly assigned to allopathic (ewes n = 8, does n = 5, rams n = 1) or homeopathic (ewes n = 8, does n = 6, rams n = 1) treatment based on parturition date and species. Allopathic animals received a single 14.79 mL per 50 lbs. of BW standard drench solution of Prohibit® following D1 analysis. Homeopathic animals were given VermOust® according to label specified quantities in an aqueous suspension, 2x/day from D1-D3, thereafter 2x/day once a week for four weeks (W1-W4). Data were analyzed using the MIXED and CORR procedures of SAS. There was an effect of anthelmintic treatment (P = 0.02) and day (P = 0.01) on total EPG but no interaction effect for treatment by day (P = 0.24). Allopathic animals had decreased total EPG compared to homeopathic animals (2202 ± 167 vs. 2726 ± 160, respectively). The Initial sample had a decreased total EPG value compared to all other fecal sampling timepoints (P ≤ 0.04). For the Initial sampling date, there was a weak negative correlation between weight and FAMACHA (|r| -0.40; P = 0.05), but no correlation between FAMACHA and EPG (P = 0.31). In conclusion, small ruminants treated with an allopathic anthelmintic had decreased total EPG compared to homeopathic treated animals in the present study; however, neither treatment effectively reduced total EPG to below the threshold by W4.
Harrington et al. (Wed,) studied this question.