Therapeutic validation of shisham (Dalbergia sisoo) leaves and bel (Aegle marmelos) fruit for calf diarrhoea*

Abstract

Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) leaves powder @ 70g and 105 g/100 kg b wt and bel(Aegle marmelos) fruit powder @ 16 g and 24 g/100 kg b wt were administered orally to diarrhoeic calves, aged below 4 months twice daily for 3 days either alone or long with oral co-trimazine (sulphadiazine + trimethoprim).The 8 dose regimens were evaluated for their therapeutic efficacies separately in 5 diarrhoeic calves each. Co-trimazine @ 15 mg/kg b wt orally twice daily for 3 days alone was also given to another group of 5 diarrhoeic calves of the same age, to serve as specific antimicrobial treated control group. The clinical (faceal consistency. dehydration and depression scores) and haemato-bochemical (PCV. serum glucose. total protein. albumin/globulin ratio, sodium, potassium, and chloride) evaluation were done before and after therapy in all the calves. The clinical scores revealed the presence of moderate diarrhoea in all the calves of the 9 groups. The shisham leaves powder @ 105 g/100 kg b wt and bel fruit/powder@ 24 g/100 kg b wt were significantly effective as supportive therapy in diarrhoea. Shisham leaves seem to have potent astringent property as its powder @ 105g/100kg b wt improved the faecal consistency to normal within 3 days and therefore, is also recommended as primary therapeutic agent for noninfectious diarrhoea in animals.