An experiment was carried out over a period of 6 months from June to November, 2006 to investigate the efficacy of Ivermectin (@ 200µg/kg body weight) injected subcutaneously and spray of 15% aqueous solution of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves against ticks in calves. A total of 15 calves, 5-6 months age, were examined for the presence of ticks by physical examination and were divided into three equal groups as, Group A (infected control group), Group B (treated with Neem) and Group C (treated with Ivermectin). Ticks infestation was examined physically on individual animal. The procedure of examination was to count the adult ticks of para-lumbar region with an area of 6×5 i.e. 30 square cm. All the calves were allowed to free pasture grazing for 2-3 hours daily. Water was also provided ad lib to all calves. The therapeutic efficacy of ivermectin and Neem was evaluated by counting the number of ticks dropped-off from the body of calves at definite intervals. Ivermectin treatment was 100% effective against ectoparasites in calves on day 7 and remained so on day 28 as well, whereas, spray of Neem leaves showed 68%  efficacy at day 28. Effect of Ivermectin injection and Neem leaves spray was evaluated on certain blood parameters like hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The effects on TEC, Hb level was increased significantly at 7th , 14th,  21st   and 28th   day of treatment and PCV level was increased significantly on 28th   day of treatment. All the calves after Ivermectin injection and Neem spray remained healthy with improvement on appetite, growth and hair coat color with no adverse effects.

An experiment was carried out over a period of 6 months from June to November, 2006 to investigate the efficacy of Ivermectin (@ 200µg/kg body weight) injected subcutaneously and spray of 15% aqueous solution of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves against ticks in calves. A total of 15 calves, 5-6 months age, were examined for the presence of ticks by physical examination and were divided into three equal groups as, Group A (infected control group), Group B (treated with Neem) and Group C (treated with Ivermectin). Ticks infestation was examined physically on individual animal. The procedure of examination was to count the adult ticks of para-lumbar region with an area of 6×5 i.e. 30 square cm. All the calves were allowed to free pasture grazing for 2-3 hours daily. Water was also provided ad lib to all calves. The therapeutic efficacy of ivermectin and Neem was evaluated by counting the number of ticks dropped-off from the body of calves at definite intervals. Ivermectin treatment was 100% effective against ectoparasites in calves on day 7 and remained so on day 28 as well, whereas, spray of Neem leaves showed 68%  efficacy at day 28. Effect of Ivermectin injection and Neem leaves spray was evaluated on certain blood parameters like hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The effects on TEC, Hb level was increased significantly at 7th , 14th,  21st   and 28th   day of treatment and PCV level was increased significantly on 28th   day of treatment. All the calves after Ivermectin injection and Neem spray remained healthy with improvement on appetite, growth and hair coat color with no adverse effects.