Eficácia do nim (Azadirachta indica) no controle dos ectoparasitos dos animais domésticos

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the aqueous neem (Azadirachta indica) extract on the control of major ectoparasites of domestic animals through in vitro and/or in vivo assays. The product presented effect similar to arthropod growth regulators, inhibiting the development of subsequent stages of Ctenocephalides felis felis and Musca domestica, in which was possible to observe morphological alterations on pupae. Miticidal effects were observed on Otodectes cynotis and, Sarcoptes scabiei on dogs, Notoedres cati on cats and Psoroptes ovis on rabbits, where a dose dependent effect could be observed. Neem did not present efficacy on the control of Amblyomma cajennense and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks. High concentrations of neem lead to a moderate efficacy on the control of R. sanguineus engorged females in vitro. However, tests in vivo showed low efficacy when used at high concentrations. Already with adults of the same species, the percentage of hatch of larvae was the main parameter to submit the amendment. The neem emulsion did not showed efficacy on the control of canine demodicosis. However, a significant clinical improvement was observed, possibly due to anti-inflammatory properties of the phytotherapic. Despite considered safe to domestic animals, the product lead to grave side effects in all daily treated rabbits, occasioning erythematous areas with alopecia, macules and papules. Similar effects were observed in a single dog which presented sensibility to the product. Cats presented intense transitory sialorrhea caused by ingestion of small quantity of the product during self-grooming. Other animals did not showed adverse effects following product application.