EVALUATION OF OIL OF CEDRUS-DEODARA AND BENZYL BENZOATE IN SARCOPTIC MANGE IN SHEEP

Two commonly used acaricidal drugs in India containing oil Cedrus deod ara (OCD) and benzyl benzoate (BE), respectively, were used in 24 lamb s (3-6 months) naturally infected with Sarcoptes mites. The lambs were divided in three equal groups. Two groups were kept as treated groups and a third as control. Drugs were applied locally on affected parts on alternate days and recovery changes in skin lesions were observed r egularly at the time of application. Blood samples from each group wer e collected and analysed for total erythrocytes, leukocytes, and haemo globin concentration every 10 d Post treatment (PT). The two treated g roups responded to the treatment but recovery in the C. deodara group (CDG) was faster and lesions were free from mites after 5 applications (tenth day) as compared to the seventh application (fourteenth day) i n the benzyl benzoate group (BEG). Erythrocyte and leukocyte counts we re significantly different in treated groups as compared to control. A nimals treated with OCD had significantly more erythrocyte and leukocy te counts compared to control; however, haemoglobin did not show signi ficant difference. Oil of C. deodara was found more efficacious in con trolling sarcoptic mange in sheep. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.