Evaluación del efecto de ajo (Allium sativum) como antiparasitario gastrointestinal en cobayos (Cavia porcellus) en la etapa de crecimiento

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of garlic paste (Allium sativum) as a gastrointestinal antiparasitic in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in the growth stage. Sixty guinea pigs were allocated in four treatments: a control group (T0) without garlic, treatment 1 (T1) with garlic paste replacing 1% of diet once per week, treatment 2 (T2) with the same product replacing 2% of diet once per week, and treatment 3 (T3) with garlic paste replacing 3% of diet once per week. Coproanalysis were performed using the flotation method and McMaste technique on the day of arrival and at 7, 15, 22,29,36, 43, and 50 days of experiment. Eimeria caviae was identified in all groups. All treatments shown to be effective in reducing the count of Eimeria caviae oocysts, T2 and T3 managed to reduce the counts to 0 in week 7. However, no significant differences were found between the treatments for gain weight, final live weight, and feed efficiency. In conclusion, the oral administration of garlic paste reduced the parasite load and could be considered as an antiparasitic alternative in guinea pigs.