Comparative efficacy between surgical intervention, organophosphorus and ivermectin against humpsore (Stephanofilariasis) in cattle

The experiment was carried out in 40 cattle to investigate the comparative efficacy of surgical
intervention, using organophosphorus (Neguvon R
) and ivermectin against skin lesions due to
Stephanofilariasis. Cattle of 1.5 to 6 years of age irrespective of sex having diagnosed skin lesions
(Stephanofilariasis) were used in this experiment. Selected cattle were divided into four equal groups
(group A, B, C and D): each group consisted of 10 cattle. Group A was treated by surgical excision of
affected skin lesion. Animals of group B was treated with organophosphorus, Trichlorophon
(Neguvon R Sapco, Unichem, Bangladesh) ointment applied topically. Group C treated with
Ivermectin (A-mectin, The ACME Lab. Ltd, Bangladesh) was administered subcutaneously @ 0.2
mg/kg body weight and repeated after 21 days at same dose. Group D kept as control Group. Cattle
treated surgically were completely cured within 15-20 days in all cases. The rate of healing of lesions
was rapid compare to organophosphorus and ivermectin treated groups and success of healing was
100%, whereas animals treated with organophosphorus ointment cured partially after 45 days of
treatment and success of healing was 60% and those treated with ivermectin also cured partially in 45
days of treatment and the success of healing was 70%. Surgical excision was more effective in
comparison to other treatments in respect to time required for healing, presence of exudates, alopecia
and recurrence of infection which was shown by histopathologically as the restoration of surrounding
hair follicle and increased production of new capillaries around the scar tissue at the newly cured area.
Also, it was evident that the treatment with ivermectin was more effective than organophosphorus
application in success of healing. It is suggested that surgical excision of the lesions produced by
Stephanofilariasis may be used as an alternative treatment method in cattle.