Comparative Efficacy of Different Chemotherapeutic Regimens in the Treatment of Peste des Petits Ruminants in West African Dwarf Goats

Abstract

The comparative efficacy of different chemotherapeutic regimes in the treatment of natural clinical infection of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) infection in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were determined. Twenty WAD male goats divided into five groups, of four each were used. Group 1 was the combined therapy group treated with Acyclovir, Oxytetracycline and Ivermectin, Group 2 was treated with Acyclovir only, Group 3 was treated with Ivermectin only, Group 4 was treated with Oxytetracycline only and Group 5 was left untreated. Clinical signs such as nasal and ocular discharges, emaciation, anorexia, pyrexia, ulcerative oral lesions, respiratory distress and diarrhoea were observed in these goats during the period of their acclimatization. The prominent post-mortem lesion observed was discontinuous streaks of congestion (Zebra markings) in the mucosa of the colon and rectum. The physiologic parameters (temperature, pulse rate, heart rate, and respiratory rate) were taken daily. It was observed that there was a significant increase in the temperature above normal in the untreated group, suggesting pyrexia. It was also observed that the combined therapy group showed a smaller number of mortality and thus, had a better efficacy when compared to the other chemotherapeutic agents used singly