Effects of Sickle Pod (Cassia tora) Aqueous Leaf Extract on Haematology and Gastrointestinal Parasites in Weaner Rabbits

Abstract

The need for safe, affordable, and sustainable alternatives to synthetic drugs in livestock production has increased interest in phytogenic additives with health-promoting and antiparasitic effects, especially in rabbit production systems. A 56-day feeding trial was conducted at the Livestock and Research Farm of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi to evaluate the haematological indices and antiparasitic effects of Cassia tora (sickle pod) leaf powder in weaner rabbits. Five experimental treatments were administered via drinking water at graded levels: T1 (0 g/L), T2 (1.5 g/L), T3 (3.0 g/L), T4 (4.5 g/L), and T5 (5.5 g/L). Twenty rabbits were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment (one rabbit per replicate). Evaluated haematological parameters included PCV, HB, RBC, WBC, MCV, MCHC, MCH, and PLT. PCV (38.00–40.50%) and MCH (19.50–25.00 pg/cell) were not significantly affected (P>0.05), whereas HB (12.55–13.45 g/dL), RBC (4.90–6.75 × 10⁶/mm³), WBC (3.65–7.50 × 10⁹/L), MCV (59.50–77.00 fL), MCHC (318.00–338.00 g/dL), and PLT (220.00–342.20 × 10⁹/L) differed significantly (P<0.05), with values remaining within normal physiological ranges. Parasitological examination revealed cestodes, Toxoplasma gondii, nematodes, and Giardia spp., with the highest infection burden in the control group. Higher inclusion levels (3.0–5.5 g/L) showed marked reduction or complete clearance of most parasites, while Eimeria was not detected. Cassia tora leaf powder can be safely administered in rabbit drinking water up to 5.5 g/L to provide measurable antiparasitic and immunomodulatory benefits.