Ethnoveterinary practices for treating parasitic diseases in domestic animals among Kyrgyz farmers.

The research study explores traditional ethnoveterinary practices used by Kyrgyz farmers to treat parasitic diseases in domestic animals. The study focuses on the collection of data from the farmers about the various remedies they use and the corresponding parasitic diseases they aim to treat.

Research Objectives and Methodology

• The goal of this research was to document the various traditional ethnoveterinary remedies used by the Kyrgyz farming community to treat parasitic diseases in domestic animals.
• The methods of preparation and application, as well as the selection of plant, animal, and mineral-based remedies, were all crucial aspects of this research.
• Data were gathered through interviews with 173 dialogue partners (participants). During these interviews, 3403 use reports (instances of remedy use) were recorded for further analysis.

Findings from the Study

• Based on the use reports, the study found a significant reliance on plant-based remedies, accounting for 2114 use reports and 1866 distinct remedies.
• Animal-based remedies were recorded 693 times across 11 unique remedies, mineral-based remedies were reported 236 times in 4 distinct remedies, and 6 different chemical agents were reported 360 times.
• Homemade single species herbal remedy reports (991 instances) and homemade mixed species herbal remedy reports (875 instances) were also documented. These reports detailed the use of 56 plant species to create remedies.

Disease and Animal Specific Findings

• Among the different diseases, helminthiasis was most frequently mentioned by the dialogue partners, followed by mange, external parasites, and two forms of myiasis (maggots in wounds and other).
• In terms of the animals being treated, the majority of use reports were associated with cattle, sheep, and horses, followed by goats, dogs, donkeys, chickens, and turkeys.

Implications and Future Research

• This study shows a significant usage of ethnoveterinary remedies among Kyrgyz farmers. These remedies are significant to local residents who have traditionally relied on them.
• The study suggests that many of the documented remedies require further validation using modern technologies to confirm their efficacy.