Resumen:
The study aimed to test the potential
anthelmintic activity of Salix babylonica (SB) extract
for the control of gastrointestinal and pulmonary
parasites in sheep and goats under field conditions. A
representative sample of 20 % of all animals reared in
8 sheep and 7 goat farms was used in the study.
Animals from each farm were randomly selected for a
total number of 93 sheep and 75 goats. Animals
suffered a natural gastrointestinal nematode infection
and had never been treated with chemical anthelmintic
drugs
Descripción:
Introduction
In Mexico, sheep and goats are important resources of
cash income, savings, food (meat and milk), wool,
fertilizer, and employment of family members, particularly
in populations with a low income and where
poverty prevails. However, parasitic diseases caused
by gastrointestinal nematodes remains as one of the
major constraints in sheep and goat production
systems in Mexico and in most developing countries
(Mejı´a-Herna´ndez et al. 2014; Cedillo et al. 2015).
Nematodes in such humid and sub-humid tropical
areas can cause poor growth, production losses, and
even mortality in young animals (Ancheta et al. 2004).
Globally, small ruminant producers depend on synthetic
anthelmintics to achieve control of gastrointestinal
nematodes and parasites. However,
administration of chemical anthelmintic drugs has
been proved to increase the development of parasite
resistance towards these treatments (Jabbar et al. 2006;
Shaik et al. 2006), and to raise concerns regarding the
presence of pharmacological residues in animal products
(McKellar 1997). Moreover, chemical treatments
are costly when used regularly to prevent helminth
parasites in livestock (Jabbar et al. 2006). Consequently,
there is an increasing interest in screening
phytogenic extracts and medicinal plants as alternatives
to the expensive traditional drugs (Olmedo-
Jua´rez
