Forty eight calves of mixed breeds (Friesian x Egyptian native) naturally infested with Boophilus annulatus ticks were used to assess the potential of a simulating program to slow release systemic acaricide using ivermectin for control Boophilus annulatus ticks. Calves were randomly allocated into 6 groups, each consisting of 8 animals. The first group was administered with the recommended single dose of 200 µg / kg, the second, third, fourth and fifth groups were injected daily for 21 days with 5, 10, 15 and 20 µg / kg, respectively. The average number of ticks on animals were taken to calculate the percentage of ticks surviving treatment and accordingly to assess the efficacy percentage of the acaricide. The efficacy of the acaricide can be evaluated also from the effect on the reproductive performance of the engorged adult female ticks by counting the number of eggs laid and the number of fertile eggs that could be hatched. The results obtained In this study, revealed that it is feasible to establish a control program against ticks simulating slow release system by supplication of ivermectin in pre-determined daily dose of 15-20 µg / kg and this system was highly effective in controlling Boophilus annulatus ticks in cattle. |
