Comparing the Efficacy of Closantel (An Anthelmintic Drug) and Azadirachta indica (Neem Plant) Diet in Controlling Trichostrongylid Nematode Parasites in Goats in Malaysia

Helminthiasis or infection with gastrointestinal nematodes such as Haemonchus contortus is a common problem in grazing animals which can lead to poor animal performance and economic loss to the livestock industry (Waller & Thamsborg, 2004). In Malaysia, the main methods of controlling gastrointestinal nematodes is using chemical anti-parasitic drug or anthelmintic and also by maintaining good pasture management (Rahman, 1994). As a result of frequent and unsupervised use of a wide variety of anthelminthic classes such as benzimendazoles, imidothiazoles and macrocyclic lactones, the helminth parasite has developed anthelminthic resistance which can lead to total failure of modern broad spectrum anthelminthic to control internal parasites of goats (Chandrawathani et al., 2004).