Indian J.Vet.Med.Vol.17, No.l&2f 1997pp.

79-81

THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF A HERBAL ECTOPARASITICIDE AV/EPP/14 ON DOGS

Anuj K. Agrawal,
Pet Care Clinic, 10/188 Rampur Road, Haldwani - 253 139.
Ectoparasites may represent the major cause of dermatologic problems in the dog and cat
(MacDonald, 1983). The present report deals with the clinical efficacy trial of a herbal ectoparasiticidal
preparation AV/EPP/14* on dogs. The evaluation was conducted on 25 clinical cases of ectoparasitic
infestations (ticks in 15 dogs, sarcoptic mange in 8 demodectic mange in 2 cases) and related skin
ailments in dogs of different breeds, sex and age groups. Tick infestations varied in intensity from light
to heavy (Table 1). Mange lesions on body, limbs or external ear were generally accompanied by
varying degrees of itching and scratching, with occasional patches of alopecia and redness.AV/EPP/14
was applied at the dilution and schedule given in Table 1, as hands dressing (with sponge or swab) on
the affected part after clipping the hair were necessary. In long haired breeds the dilution of 1:2 in water
was adopted. AV/ EPP/14 was the only therapy used in all cases.AV/EPP/14 at concentration of 1:4 was
found fully effective for controlling fleas and lice, but was partially effective against ticks (Table I). Using a
concentration of 1:2, ticks were progressively killed or detached leading to control in two or three
applications at 4-day intervals. Only two dogs required fourth application after a gap of one week for full
control. Concurrent management of the premises was advised to the owners to minimize reinfestation.

AV/EPP/14 treatment of sarcoptic mange resulted in subsidence of itching following the first one or
two applications indicating good miticidal effect. However, the treatment was repeated upto 6-7
applications in 10 day (Tabel 1). The healing of lesions took 10 to 20 days depending on the extent and
severity. All the 8 dogs were clinically cured and there was no recurrence of the problem for at least 8-12
weeks. Employing a more stringent treatment regime (Table 1) AV/EPP/14 was found efficacious
therapy for localized demodecosis also.

It is concluded that the new herbal ectoparasiticide AV/EPP/14 is effective for the control of ticks
and mange mites in dogs. Being herbal in constituents, it is totally safe for the human handlers and
environment-friendly. Efficacy of herbal agents against sarcoptic mange in dogs has earlier been reported
(Tripathy et at,, 1989; Das, 1996). In an earlier study, AV/ EPP/14 had been found effective against
different arthropod pests of dogs including fleas, lice and fly-larvae in wounds (Sharma, 1995). The new
formulation being self-emulsifiable concentrate, is easy to apply, and totally non-irritant. Its herbal
ingredients, namely Acorus calamuc (Deshmukh et ah, 1982), Azadirachta indica (Singh,.
1983), Pongamia glabra (Kale and Pachgaonkar, 1969), Cedrus deodara (Lai et al, 1976) and
Eucalyptus globulus (Chavan et al,1982) are known for their insecticidal; growth-inhibitory, anti-
moulting, anti-fert i l i t y and repellent activities. . The ectoparasiticidal properties of AV/EPP/14
apparently seem to be due to the combined effect and synergistic enhancement of insecticidal action.
Table 1: Efficacy of Herbal Ectoparasiticide AV/EPP/14 on dogs.
Intensity of Dilution &
Type of Number Per cent
infestation schedule of
ectoparasitism of dogs control
treatment
Fleas& ticks
1:4,3-4.treatments,
5 L 100%; ticks
5 days apart
60-75%
Fleas & lice
Ticks, fleas 1:2, 2-3 treatments,
5 M 100%; ticks
and lice 4 days apart
90-95%
Fleas & lice
1:2.2-3 treatments,
5 H 100%; ticks 95-
2 days apart
97%
1:2, once daily for first 3
100%
Sarcoptic 8 Localized days and on alternate
days thereafter
Demodectic 1:2, once daily till' 100%
2 Localized
mange complete recovery -

L (Light infestation)= Less than 25 ticks per dog M (Moderate infestation)= 25-50 ticks per dog H
(Heavy infestation) = More than 50 ticks per dog
* After 10 days, supplemented with multiaction skin gel locally for lesion healing.

REFERENCES
Chavan, S.R., Nikam, S.T., Kamath, V.R. and Renapurkar, D.M. (1982). Mosquito larvi cidal/insecticidal
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*AV/EPP/14 is research code name of new formulation for pels developed by Dabur Ayurvet
Limited, 22 Site IV Sahibabad. Ghaziabad-201010. Each 10ml contains (in g): Cedrus
deodara 2.00, Pongamia labra 0 50, Azadirachta indica ext. 0.30. Eucalyptus globulus 0.20,
Acorus calamus 0 20 in emulsified