Management of surgical wounds using crude neem oil in one year old ram: A successful report

Abstract

Wound healing effect of crude neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) oil, processed locally from the seed kernel was assessed on septic surgical wound in a one year old Uda ram. A wound approximately 7 cm in diameter created as a result of surgical drainage of abscess on the left caudal part of the elbow joint was flushed with the crude neem oil. A single application of the crude neem oil to the sutured wound resulted in a complete healing after seven days without systemic or topical application of antibiotics. Wound infection and dehiscence were not observed and the animal’s appetite improved significantly after the intervention and treatment. Thus, the study reveals crude neem oil may act as a cheaper, more convenient and effective wound healing oil in animals, especially, in the rural areas where veterinary services and/or orthodox chemically-based animal medicaments may not be readily available.  Key words: Neem oil, ram, small ruminant, wound healing.