Journal of Veterinary Parasitology 11(2) 1997: 215-217

EFFICACY OF HERBAL ECTOPARASITICIDE AV/EPP/14* ON SOME ECTOPARASITES OF DOGS

AND CATTLE

P.S. Banerjee
Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, India
ABSTRACT
Banerjee, P.S. 1997. Efficacy of herbal ectoparasiticide AV/EPP/14 on some ectoparasites of
dogs and cattle. J.Vet. Parasitol., 11(2): 215-217.
The herbal formulation AV/EPP/14 (Dabur Ayurvet Ltd.) was tested against natural infestations of lice
(Trichodectes cants) and fleas (Ctenocephalides felis var orientis) on dogs. Severely infested dogs
were sprayed with the compound in 1:4 dilutions which resulted in 100 percent killing of the
ectoparasites within two hours. The lesions of dermatitis also healed within a few days with a
protection from reinfestation for one month. Similarly, in vitro trials of the compound against the
cattle tick Boophilus microplus was 100 percent effective against larvae and nymphs in 24-48 hr of
the application. Up to 7 days post-treatment, none of the engorged females died but egg laying and
hatchability was greatly reduced (>95 percent). At higher concentrations (undiluted and in 1:2
dilution) on naturally infested cattle and buffaloes, the effect was nearly similar.

INTRODUCTION
Dermatologic problems in dogs are frequently caused by arthropod parasites including lice and
fleas. The incidence of biting louse {Trichodectes canis) and flea (Ctenocephalides felis var orientis) on
dogs was found to be high (Singh and Chhabra, 1973). Infestations may be heavy in young animals
resulting in rough and dry coat, pruritis and allergic dermatitis (Grant, 1991). The common bovine
tick, Boophilus microplus, apart from its direct adverse effects, is an important disease vector.
Indigenous plant based insecticides/acaricides are coming up as more acceptable and safe alternatives
to synthetic chemicals. The present report deals with the effect of an indigenous plant-based
formulation AV/EPP/14* on lice and flea infestation in dogs and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo
against Boophilus microplus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The compound AV/EPP/14, used against lice and fleas on dogs and tick on cattle, is comprised
of herbal ingredients viz., Acorus calamus, Azadirachta indica, Pongamia glabra, Cedrus deodara and
Eucalyptus globulus. These are known for their insecticidal, growth inhibitory, anti-moulting, anti-fertility
and repellent activities (Roy et at., 1996).

In one experiment, fifteen dogs of different breeds, 2-12 months old were found to have
severe natural infestation with lice (Trichodectes canis) and 12 others having severe natural
infestation with fleas (Ctenocephalides felis var orientis). These were selected for the drug trial
under constant observations. Ten of the louse infested dogs and S of the flea infested dogs were
sprayed with AV/EPP/14 at 1:4 dilution. The remaining dogs of either category, having similar
infestation, were kept as untreated controls. Efficacy of treatment was evaluated on the basis of
mortality of the ectoparasites at hourly intervals of treatment and the protection from reinfestation.
 In second experiment, in vitro efficacy against developmental stages and adults of Boophihis
microplus was assessed by spraying larval clusters in the cattle sheds and batches of freshly
moulted nymphs in petridishes with 1:4 dilution of AV/EPP/14. Freshly emerged adult males and
females and engorged females were similarly exposed. The undiluted formulation and 1:2
concentrations were also sprayed on six crossbred cows (3 of either concentration) and six buffaloes
(3 of either concentration) infested naturally with B. microplus. The mortality was recorded at 24 hr
intervals. In engorged females, the observations on oviposition and hatchability of eggs were also made.
The percent reduction in eggs laid and eggs hatched was calculated by the formula (Khan and
Srivastava 1977)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the first experiment, the dogs treated with AV/EPP/14 revealed that all the lice including developing
stages and fleas died within two hour of application. The dermatitis seen in some dogs due to lice/flea
infestation was also relieved on the third day and lesions healed up gradually in 7-10 days post-
treatment. The compound did not show any adverse side reaction in any of the treated dogs and was
found safe for handlers. Reinfestation did not occur for one month till the present observations were
made. In untreated control group of dogs the lice and flea infestation persisted with lesions of
dermatitis. In the second experiment, in vitro applications of 1:4 dilution of AV/EPP/ 14 resulted in
100 percent mortality of larval and nymphal stages in 24-48 hr and-of adult males and unfed female
ticks in 48-72 hr. Engorged females survived even after one week of treatment. Of the 10 treated
engorged females, four laid 1103 eggs and 996 of them hatched. Thus the average number of eggs
laid by each treated engorged female tick was 110 (100 viable) as compared to average of 2116 eggs
(2086 viable) by each untreated female (control). This proved 92.2 percent reduction in oviposition by
ticks after treatment. The effect on natural infestation of B. microplus on cows and buffaloes was
similar at all the stages viz., larvae, nymphs and unfed adults were killed within -4 days of
application except for engorged females. The engorged females on treated animals, however, laid
few eggs and this leads to an indirect control.

The present results regarding the efficacy of AV/EPP/14 against natural infestation of dog lice
and fleas are similar to earlier published reports of Sharma (1996). The efficacy of the herbal
formulation against cattle tick B. microplus is reported for the first time. Further it is interesting to note
that the concentrations of drug required for 100 percent killing of unfed adults do not necessarily result
in 100 percent reduction in egg laying and hatching (Singh and Chhabra, 1992), which is comparable to
that of potent compounds such as synthetic pyrethroids.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author is thankful to the Head, Department of Parasitology, Dean, College of Veterinary
Sciences and Dr. Y.P.S. Dahas, Incharge, Clinics, College of Veterinary Sciences for the necessary
facilities provided. Thanks are also due to Dabur Ayurvet Ltd. for the free supply of the drugs.
REFERENCES

Grant, D. 1991. The pruritic dog. In: Boden, E. (Ed.) Canine Practice. In Practice Hand Book
Series. Bailliere Tindall, London. 191.
Khan, M.H. and Srivastava, S.C. 1977. In vitro tests with some ixodicides against cattle tick
Boophihis microplus. Indian J. Anim. Hlth., 16: 137-140.
Roy, S., Main". S.K. and AH, S.L. 1996. Therapeutic evaluation of herbal ectoparasiticides
against canine demodicosis. Indian Vet. J., 73: 871-873.
Sharma, V. 1996. Efficacy of the herbal formulation AV/EPP/14 against ectoparasites on pets. Indian
Vet. Med. J., 20: 225-227.
Singh, A. and Chhabra, R.C. 1973. Incidence of arthropod pests of domesticated animals and
birds. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 43: 393-397.
Singh, S. and Chhabra, M.B. 1992. Comparative acaricidal efficacy of coumaphos and fenvalerate
against some common livestock ticks. Indian Vet. Med. J., 36: 94-100.
Soulsby, E.J.L. 1982. Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals. 7th Edn.
Bailliere Tindall & ELBS, London. 809.