Use of homeopathy in parasites control plans in a flock of Zerasca sheep.

The control of gastrointestinal parasites in livestock relies almost exclusively on multiple and regular dosing with anthelmintics. That involves in problems linked with residues in food products and environment encouraging researchers in studying alternatives or new helminth control methods (Ketzis et al., 2006). Among these, homeopathy could play a strategic role in solving health problems; however, at present, there is a lack of scientific results with validated techniques used on a large scale. In consequence of these considerations, the aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of homeopathy in the control of parasite burden in sheep. The study lasted 12 months and involved 30 ewes of Zerasca breed divided in two groups. Sabadilla MK was administered twice. Gastrointestinal strongyles faecal egg count (FEC) and blood parameters were performed. Statistical analysis was carried out by ANOVA and relations between FEC and hematocrit (HCT) were estimated by Pearson’s correlations. FEC resulted influenced by the date of sampling, confirming a fluctuation linked with the season. Homeopathy did not influence parasite burden in the whole, but a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in egg output was observed at the second and at the last sampling following the administration of the remedy. Data referring blood parameters did not show appreciable differences between the two groups. FEC and HCT showed an inverse correlation even if mean values were comprised between the normal range. The study pointed out the advantages of a parasites monitoring and the interest of homeopathy in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes.