In vitro evaluation of homeopathic formulation in the control of bovine tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Abstract

Veterinary homeopathy is being increasingly recognized and spread because it is an alternative that causes less damage to the environment and to the animals, being mainly used in the control of ectoparasites. One of the main ectoparasites that cause great economic damage to Brazilian livestock is the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. In order to contribute to the application of an alternative therapy for the control of the ectoparasite R. (B.) microplus in cattle, the present research aimed at evaluating the oviposition and hatching rate in teleogines collected from an experimental property treated with homeopathic medicament, as well as its other biological parameters. In the in vitro experiment, the teleogines were collected, washed and fixed in dorsal decubitus in petri dishes, taken to a germination chamber for 12 days at 27° C ± 1 and relative humidity 80%, to obtain postures, after which aliquots of eggs were weighed, added to Falcon tubes and kept in the germination chamber for 14 days at a temperature of 27°C ±1 and relative humidity 80%, verifying the hatching percentage. It was observed that the homeopathic formulation aids in the treatment and control of R.(B.) microplus infestations in cattle raised on a property with a history of parasite resistance.