Traditional Latvian herbal medicinal plants used to treat parasite infections of small ruminants: A review

Ethnoveterinary practices for treating parasitic diseases in domestic animals among Kyrgyz farmers

While modern veterinary medicine offers effective treatments, traditional ethnoveterinary practices persist among many farming communities, reflecting centuries-old knowledge and cultural beliefs. This study aimed to document ethnoveterinary remedies and their methods of preparation and application, for treating various parasitic diseases in domestic animals used by Kyrgyz farmers. Data on plant, animal and mineral-based remedies, as well as chemicals used for these purposes, were collected through interviews with 173 dialogue partners (DPs). A total of 3403 use reports (URs) were recorded, indicating 1866 plant-based remedies (2114 URs; 62.1 %), 11 animal-based remedies (693 URs; 20.4 %), 4 mineral-based remedies (236 URs; 6.9 %) and 6 chemicals (360 URs; 10.6 %) used as antiparasitic agents by Kyrgyz farmers. The preparation of 991 homemade single species herbal remedy reports (HSHRs) and 875 homemade mixed species herbal remedy reports (HMHRs) involves the utilisation of 56 plant species belonging to 20 families. Helminthiasis was the most frequently mentioned by DPs (1697 URs; 49.9 %), followed by mange (965 URs; 28.6 %), external parasites (594 URs; 17.4 %) and myiasis (maggots in wounds) (89 URs; 2.6 %), other myiasis (58 URs; 1.7 %). The highest number of URs was observed for cattle (1221 URs; 35.9 %), sheep (733 URs; 21.5 %) and horses (696 URs; 20.4 %), followed by goats (299 URs; 8.8 %), dogs (201 URs; 5.9 %), donkeys (170 URs; 5 %), chickens (59 URs; 1.7 %) and turkeys (24 URs; 0.7 %). All the remedies presented have significance for local residents, who previously had exclusive access to these skills. However, many of the documented remedies require confirmation using modern technologies.

Sustainable approach to control gastrointestinal nematodes using pelargonium quercetorum Agnew in goats

The use of medicinal plants as a means of combating parasites is becoming increasingly popular due to general resistance to synthetic anthelmintics. Goats typically respond less well to anthelminthic treatments, which may increase their resistance to nematodes. For this purpose, the anthelmintic effect of Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew (P. quercetorum) extract was tested in an in vivo study against gastrointestinal parasites of goats. A total of 40 goats naturally infected with mixed gastrointestinal nematode species were divided into four groups: the first group was treated with albendazole (7.5 mg/kg), the second group received a single dose of closantel (7.5 mg/kg), the third group received plant extract (7.5 mg/kg), and the fourth group served as an untreated control. Fecal egg counts (FEC) were carried out on day 14, as well as day 0, which was prior to the first treatment dose. According to the results, maximum reduction in FEC percentage was observed in P. quercetorum treated group (63.41%). Furthermore, nematode parasites responded poorly to synthetic drugs, although there was a 4.72% and 45.54% decrease in FEC in the albendazole and closantel-treated groups, respectively. Although no significant difference was found between the treatment groups, the P. quercetorum treated group showed a significant reduction in fecal egg count after treatment. Based on findings, a P. quercetorum based anthelmintic could be a sustainable alternative to combat parasite infestation. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the optimal dose rate and frequency of doses required for effective control of gastrointestinal parasites in goats.

Endoparasites in wild populations of Cyprus mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion)

The Cyprus mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) is a subspecies of wild sheep, endemic to Cyprus and strictly protected by national and international legislation. In the present study, 107 Cyprus mouflon faecal samples were collected from locations within the species geographical range and examined by standard parasitological methods, i.e. flotation, sedimentation and Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. Parasites were found in 104 (97.39%) samples. First stage larvae of the lungworms Muellerius capillaris and Cystocaulus ocreatus were found in 93 (86.9%) and in 65 (60.7%) of the samples, respectively, strongylid eggs in 46 (43%), Eimeria spp. oocysts in 44 (41.1%) and Nematodirus spp. Trichuris spp. and Moniezia spp. eggs in 10 (9.3%), 7 (6.5%) and 1 (0.9%) sample, respectively. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first survey on the endoparasites of Cyprus mouflon. The possible role of the parasites found on the health status of the animals and the risk of endoparasite transmission from domestic ruminants to Cyprus mouflon are discussed.