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Topic:Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary medicine for horses encompasses the study and application of medical practices to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in equine species. This field involves a comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Veterinary practitioners employ a range of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to address health issues in horses, including lameness, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory conditions, and infectious diseases. Preventative care, such as vaccination and deworming programs, is also a significant aspect of equine veterinary medicine. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary medicine as it pertains to horses, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and preventive health strategies.
Global seroprevalence and epidemiological patterns of equine viral arteritis from 1968 to 2025: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Preventive veterinary medicine    March 30, 2026   Volume 252 106876 doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2026.106876
Firdausy LW, Fikri F, Wicaksono AP, Maslamama ST, Purnama MTE.Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a globally widespread infectious disease affecting equids, with significant consequences for reproductive efficiency and the regulation of international equine trade. Nevertheless, despite the accumulation of numerous region-specific investigations, an integrated synthesis of global seroprevalence estimates and overarching epidemiological patterns remains insufficiently developed. Objective: To calculate the pooled global seroprevalence of EVA and to explore sources of epidemiological heterogeneity. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken ...
Endometrial Evaluation Using Video-Assisted Hysteroscopy After Uterine Prolapse Management in a Mare.
Veterinary medicine and science    March 30, 2026   Volume 12, Issue 3 e70903 doi: 10.1002/vms3.70903
Rodrigues GJ, Monteiro FDO, Teixeira PPM.This case report describes the successful application of video-assisted hysteroscopy to evaluate endometrial recovery in a 6-year-old mare following treatment for complete uterine prolapse secondary to dystocia. Upon presentation, the uterus was manually reduced and supported with a Buhner's suture. A multimodal medical protocol, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and uterine lavage, was initiated. Five days after reduction, an endoscopic evaluation was performed using a dedicated videovaginoscope without uterine insufflation. The procedure provided high-resolution i...
Survey occurrence of serum antibodies against Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi, agents with zoonotic potential, in horses from the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Parasitology international    March 30, 2026   Volume 114 103274 doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2026.103274
Dos Santos Pinto M, Angeluci GC, Neto JABC, Dos Santos Barbosa I, da Silva Tito RK, Lima SG, Braga VG, Lima VMF, Lucheis SB, Sabioni MS, Kawai JGC....In this research, a seroepidemiological survey was conducted on 202 horses located on 21 properties in the northwestern region of the state of São Paulo (Brazil) to estimate exposure to Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypanosoma cruzi. Antibodies against Leishmania, T. gondii and T. cruzi, were detected in 48 (23.76%), 29 (14.36%) and 2 (0.99%) of the 202 horses, respectively. We found a significantly higher occurrence of antibodies against Leishmania compared to those against the other protozoa (Chi-Square = 46.7, 2 d.f., P < 0.001). Seropositivity for the aforementioned prot...
Mass culture of equine synovial fluid-derived mesenchymal stromal cells using nonwoven polyethylene terephthalate fabrics.
Equine veterinary journal    March 30, 2026   doi: 10.1002/evj.70152
Yoshitomi MD, Kuramoto T, Hatazoe T, Mitsuda K, Smith H, Misumi K.Culture protocols need to yield 100 million equine synovial fluid (SF)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (SF-MSCs) in around 3 weeks are needed, before these cells can be evaluated as agents of articular repair in clinical trials. Objective: To investigate mass culture of equine SF-MSC culture protocols using nonwoven polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics for the potential to meet the targets for clinical trials. Methods: In vitro experiments. Methods: SF samples were collected from the carpal joints in thoroughbred racehorses (n = 21) undergoing arthroscopic surgery and cultured in 10%...
Caudal esophageal achalasia in a Quarter Horse colt.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    March 29, 2026   Volume 40, Issue 2 aalag053 doi: 10.1093/jvimsj/aalag053
Alvarado Soto GJ, Maldonado M, Armentrout A, Woolard K, Aleman M, Giaretta P, Willis AT.Achalasia is the most common motility disorder of the esophagus in humans and has been diagnosed in cats and dogs. We describe a 4-month-old Quarter Horse colt with failure to thrive, recurrent colic episodes, and aspiration pneumonia, in which fluoroscopic evaluation identified a caudal esophageal motility disorder consistent with achalasia. Necropsy examination confirmed achalasia.
Relationship between prevalence and severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and environmental factors.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    March 29, 2026   Volume 40, Issue 2 aalag052 doi: 10.1093/jvimsj/aalag052
Pinnell E, Shoemaker S, Wang Y, Tang Y, Sellon D, Leguillette R, Gold J, Sanz M, Bayly WM.Environmental risk factors could contribute to the development of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in racing Thoroughbreds. Objective: To identify environmental risk factors that might contribute to differences in EIPH prevalence and severity across 12 Thoroughbred racetracks in the United States. Methods: Eight hundred fifteen 2-year-old and 122 >2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Prospective blinded observational study. Videoendoscopy was performed 30-60 min post-race. Three observers independently assigned an EIPH grade to each videorecording, and prevalence and se...
Generation of equine-specific local antibiograms: reproductive tract of mares and fillies in Western Australia.
Australian veterinary journal    March 28, 2026   Volume 104, Issue 7 457-462 doi: 10.1111/avj.70079
Hoong J, Boyd C, Secombe C, Byrne D.Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may lead to increasing inefficacy and treatment failure of bacterial infections in the future. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes are critical to ensuring the continued efficacy of available antimicrobials. There is a lack of published evidence-based data on the susceptibility of isolates from common reproductive infections encountered in mares. This study aims to provide equine veterinarians in Western Australia (WA) with the most appropriate first-line empirical antimicrobials for infections of the mare reproductive tract. Methods: A retrospective study...
Synthetic progestin treatment alters cytokine expression and impairs vaccine response in horses.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    March 28, 2026   Volume 296 111111 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2026.111111
Kapadia CL, Crook RA, Coleman S, Unger G, Douglas RH, Fedorka CE.Altrenogest is commonly used in equine veterinary medicine for the control of estrus, behavioral modifications, and maintenance of pregnancy. Recent studies have found that altrenogest may impact aspects of the immune system, including altering cytokine production in circulation and within the reproductive tract. Therefore, we hypothesize that this alteration may lead to a deviated immune response to vaccination. Sixteen mares were divided into two groups, with ten mares (n = 10) receiving long-acting injectable altrenogest (100 mg/mL; IM) administered every 10 days, and six mares (n =...
Physical vs. Behavioral Clinical Signs in Horses with Squamous and Glandular Gastric Ulcers.
Veterinary sciences    March 27, 2026   Volume 13, Issue 4 328 doi: 10.3390/vetsci13040328
Pimenta J, Martins B, Mexedo A, Campilho R, Silva F, Cotovio M.Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome is a highly prevalent condition, yet its clinical diagnosis remains challenging due to the nonspecific nature of many associated signs. The relationship between the anatomical location of gastric ulcers and clinical presentation is still poorly defined. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the association between gastric ulcer location and the clinical signs observed in horses. Medical records of 52 horses diagnosed with gastric ulcers by gastroscopy were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical signs were classified as physical, behavioral, or mixed, and ulcer lo...
Updated euthanasia guidelines for insured horses.
The Veterinary record    March 27, 2026   Volume 198, Issue 7 iii doi: 10.1002/vetr.70600
No abstract available
Septic Endophthalmitis Following Suprachoroidal Cyclosporine Implant Placement in Two Horses With Equine Recurrent Uveitis.
Case reports in veterinary medicine    March 27, 2026   Volume 2026 7378792 doi: 10.1155/crve/7378792
Sanchez-Garcia M, Chalder R, Blacklock B, Hartley C, Scurrell E, Neto R, Sutton D, McMullen RJ.This article presents the clinical and histopathological findings from two horses that developed severe postoperative complications following suprachoroidal procedures routinely employed in the management of equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Case 1 was a 5-year-old warmblood stallion that initially received a unilateral suprachoroidal triamcinolone injection, followed later by bilateral suprachoroidal cyclosporine implant (CSI) placement. At 9 weeks postoperatively, the right eye (which had undergone both procedures) developed secondary glaucoma necessitating enucleation. Case 2 was a 14-year-ol...
Multi-state equine botulism outbreak in the United States linked to contaminated feed: an epidemiologic, clinicopathologic, and regulatory investigation. Aguirre Siliezar K, Datu C, Proia K, Rotstein D, Nemser SM, Tyson GH, Ragsdale JM, Wilkes RP, Baker RE, Carossino M, Del Piero F, Sasaki E, Yant P....A multi-state outbreak of equine botulism occurred between December 2022 and March 2023 in the United States. Follow-up and testing were performed on 42 horses, including 24 that died or were euthanized in the outbreak that affected ~98 horses. Affected horses had all been exposed to the same commercial feed. Clinical signs included progressive muscle weakness and tremors, recumbency, and colic. No significant gross or microscopic abnormalities were observed on autopsy. Feces and gastrointestinal content were tested for various infectious agents, including botulinum toxin; fecal samples from 2...
Serum-free medium modulates the immunomodulatory and anabolic function of equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.
Experimental cell research    March 25, 2026   Volume 459, Issue 1 115000 doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2026.115000
Tehrani AH, Toth K, Osinchuk N, Dufour A, Krawetz R, Sen A, Sparks H.Adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) hold significant therapeutic potential in human and veterinary medicine. Traditionally, BM-MSC cultures use fetal bovine serum (FBS) to promote growth, but this practice introduces batch variability and xenogeneic contamination that complicate clinical translation. While serum-free medium (SFM) alternatives have been optimized for human MSCs, limited options have been explored for alternative or veterinary species. Here, we compared a chemically defined, customizable SFM formulation with conventional serum-containing medium (SCM) fo...
The 2025 outbreak of equine influenza among draft horses at Obihiro Racecourse, Hokkaido, Japan.
The Journal of veterinary medical science    March 25, 2026   doi: 10.1292/jvms.26-0092
Fukumoto N, Shibata M, Hayashi M, Kawauchi K, Yabuuchi Y, Oue Y, Matsuyama R, Yamamoto T, Mita H, Kawanishi N, Bannai H, Tsujimura K, Yamanaka T....In 2025, an outbreak of equine influenza occurred among draft horses at Obihiro Racecourse in Hokkaido, Japan. The number of horses showing clinical signs increased dramatically in April. The proportion affected was significantly higher in 2-year-olds than in older groups. The proportion that developed fever during the outbreak was significantly higher than that observed among Thoroughbreds during the 2007 outbreak. In non-epidemic periods, the geometric mean hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer of 2-year-old draft horses was significantly lower than that of 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. The...
Use of Vernier caliper to measure diameter and anastomotic index of end-to-end jejunojejunostomy in horses.
Veterinary surgery : VS    March 25, 2026   doi: 10.1111/vsu.70100
Gandini M, Giusto G.No abstract available
Molecular characterization of Anaplasmataceae in Turkmen horses (Akhal-Teke breed) and ticks in racetracks, Iran.
Journal of equine veterinary science    March 24, 2026   105864 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105864
Shams N, Jaydari A, Khademi P, Eydi J, Sgroi G.Due to the abundance of ticks on open grassy surfaces, racetracks may represent ideal scenarios for tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, in 2024/2025 Turkmen horses (Akhal-Teke breed) and ticks collected by dragging in paddocks of Iran were screened for Anaplasmataceae using Sanger sequencing on 16S rRNA, TRP36 and dsb genes. Amongst 200 horses, 11 (5.5%) tested positive without signs/symptoms, being 8 (4%) for Ehrlichia canis and 3 (1.5%) for Anaplasma ovis; no difference in prevalence was found by gender and age (p>0.05). All ticks were identified as Hyalomma asiaticum and Haemaphysalis sulca...
Anatomical description of the vertebrobasilar and carotid systems forming the cerebral arterial circle in the equine brain.
Frontiers in veterinary science    March 24, 2026   Volume 13 1772131 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1772131
Al Aiyan A, Alnahdi AF, Abu Hayah S, Alshamsi A, Alshebli H, Aleissaee S, Balan R.The cerebral blood supply in horses is maintained by carotid and vertebrobasilar systems, which join the cerebral arterial circle to ensure continuous brain perfusion. This study aimed to comprehensively describe the origins, courses, and interconnections of the vertebrobasilar and carotid systems in the horse brain. Unassigned: Ten adult equine specimens were obtained from horses euthanized for non-neurological reasons. Following perfusion with 10% formaldehyde, colored latex was injected into the arterial system, and detailed dissections were performed to study major intracranial vessels. Un...
Effects of various perineural analgesia techniques on decreasing experimentally-induced lameness of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint.
Journal of equine veterinary science    March 24, 2026   105863 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105863
Patterson HE, Yocom AF, Seabaugh KA, Kawcak CE, Contino EK.Recent evidence has shown that perineural analgesia may be less specific than previously thought. Objective: To compare the effects of four distal limb perineural analgesia techniques on resolving synovitis-induced lameness of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). Methods: Nine horses had one MCPJ injected with 75ng of recombinant equine interleukin-1β (reIL-1β). Ten hours later, horses underwent one of two blocking patterns: (1) a palmar digital (PDNB) followed by an abaxial sesamoidean (ASNB) nerve block or (2) a palmar metacarpal (PMNB) followed by a palmar (PaNB) nerve block. Skin...
Equine genital and ocular squamous cell carcinomas: clinical, histopathological, molecular and viral characterization with proposed histopathological classification system.
The veterinary quarterly    March 24, 2026   Volume 46, Issue 1 2648939 doi: 10.1080/01652176.2026.2648939
O'Brien K, Mair T, Mudhar HS, Pesavento P, Miller H, Priestnall SL, Suárez-Bonnet A.Equine squamous cell carcinomas (eSCCs) are common, and a proportion are likely induced by papillomavirus 2 (EcPV-2). Accurate prediction of clinical outcomes is challenging with no recognized prognostic criteria or consistent histopathological classification scheme for eSCC. The aims of this study were to histopathologically subtype a large case series of eSCCs (genital and ocular) and correlate them with p16 and HER-2 expression, equine papillomavirus infection status, and various clinical and histopathological parameters to predict tumour behavior and prognosis. One hundred and eighty-five...
Cardiac arrhythmias during intense exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses: frequency and association with subsequent race performance.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    March 24, 2026   Volume 40, Issue 2 aalag044 doi: 10.1093/jvimsj/aalag044
van Erck-Westergren E, O'Connor S, Stewart BD, Dubois G, Morton J, Hinchcliff KW, Ter Woort F.The frequency, characteristics, and relationship with performance of arrhythmias occurring during high-intensity exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses remain poorly understood. Objective: Describe the frequency, characteristics, and association with subsequent race performance of arrhythmias occurring during intense exercise. Methods: Seventy-one racehorses competing in races sanctioned by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Methods: Risk-based case-control study. Single-lead ECGs were recorded during high-intensity trials using wearable devices. Ectopic depolarizations identified during warm-up, maximal...
[Cone beam computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy of the carpal region in the horse].
Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe G, Grosstiere/Nutztiere    March 24, 2026   doi: 10.1055/a-2809-5893
Hagenbach M, Bierau J, Rott P, Röcken M, Staszyk C.Subject matter and objectiveThe aim of this study was to display clinically relevant anatomical structures of the carpal region in healthy horses with the help of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and methods: Twenty-eight forelimbs from 15 adult horses without orthopedic diseases were examined. Following native CBCT examination a mixture of hyperattenuating contrast medium with blue epoxy resin dye was injected in the antebrachiocarpal joint and middle carpal joint and contrast-enhanced CBCT scans were also acquired. Subsequently, the limbs were frozen and sawed in different plan...
Cervical extradural mast cell tumour in a 2-year-old Irish Sport Horse colt.
Journal of comparative pathology    March 24, 2026   Volume 227 1-3 doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2026.02.001
Palunas V, Fussell D, Helgert N, Long AE, Aitken MR, Abraham M.A 2-year-old Irish Sport Horse colt presented with acute, severe and rapidly progressive neurological signs, arriving recumbent to the hospital. Ante-mortem diagnostics did not reveal the cause of the recumbency, and the colt was euthanized after treatment and supportive care did not result in clinical improvement. A cranial cervical extradural mast cell tumour with eosinophilic granulomas and secondary compressive myelopathy with axonal degeneration was diagnosed on post-mortem evaluation. No other masses or clinically relevant findings were present, suggesting a primary neoplasm. Neoplasia a...
Preoperative risk assessment in horses: agreement and predictive value of CHARIOT (Combined Horse Anaesthetic Risk Identification and Optimisation Tool).
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia    March 24, 2026   Volume 53, Issue 4 101228 doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2026.101228
Beldeanu S, Hopster K, Diez Bernal S, Stefanovski D, Gozalo-Marcilla M.To assess interobserver agreement and predictive value of the Combined Horse Anaesthetic Risk Identification and Optimisation Tool (CHARIOT) compared with the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification system among five groups of evaluators with different levels of expertise, and to explore the association between risk scores and 7-day postoperative mortality. Methods: Prospective, observational, single-centre pilot study. Methods: A group of 50 client-owned horses. Methods: Each horse was assessed (ASA-PS and CHARIOT) before general anaesthesia by one evalua...
Preliminary Investigation of a Transcutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Technique for Pudendal Nerve Block in Six Horse Cadavers.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    March 23, 2026   Volume 16, Issue 6 995 doi: 10.3390/ani16060995
Pye E, Marcilla MG, Duncan JC.Regional anaesthesia of the equine anogenital tract is limited to local infiltration, extradural, blind palpation and nerve stimulator-guided techniques which risk iatrogenic damage, recumbency and ataxia. This study aimed to describe and assess the feasibility of transcutaneous ultrasound-guided (USG) pudendal nerve staining in equine cadavers. An initial pilot phase used two fresh equine cadavers and one standing unsedated horse to image the intrapelvic anatomy using ultrasound. One fixed equine cadaver specimen was also dissected to identify the pudendal nerve and refine the dissection appr...
Client-specific outcome measure for chronic osteoarthritis pain assessment in horses.
Frontiers in veterinary science    March 23, 2026   Volume 13 1771745 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1771745
Benetti E, Tambella AM, Andreis SN, Witte S, Di Bella C, Spadavecchia C.Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent cause of chronic pain and lameness in horses. Whereas lameness can be quantified using objective measures, the assessment of OA-associated pain remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the Client-Specific Outcome Measure (CSOM), a tool widely used in small animals, for the assessment of chronic OA pain in horses through caretaker evaluation. Unassigned: Seventeen privately owned horses with confirmed OA were enrolled in a 20-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. For each horse, three individual pain-related ind...
Metastatic adenocarcinoma in the parotid gland in a horse – clinical and pathological findings.
Veterinary research communications    March 21, 2026   Volume 50, Issue 3 213 doi: 10.1007/s11259-026-11097-4
Loss CC, Langhanz TV, Peretti JC, Zorrer JB, Picetti TS, da Motta AC.This case report details the findings of a metastatic adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland, a rare neoplasm in horses with limited treatment options. A 12-year-old, Criollo breed, gelding was presented with an enlarged left parotid gland that had been previously treated for 6 months without response to treatment. Based on the results of the diagnostic procedures performed, the horse underwent a total sialadenectomy and died of hypovolemic shock in the recovery room. Post-mortem examination revealed metastatic neoplastic infiltration of the submandibular lymph nodes and the lymphatic network at ...
When Vibrio is not Vibrio: misidentified Aeromonas sp. associated with equine abortions and neonatal death, revealed by MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA sequencing.
Journal of equine veterinary science    March 20, 2026   105861 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105861
Sévin C, Duquesne F, Copin S, Raguenet V, Guy M, Wilhelm A, Gassilloud B, Moreau P, Petry S.A retrospective review of equine necropsies performed at the Normandy Laboratory for Animal Health, French Agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety (1996-2022) unexpectedly reported Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in equine samples using API 20NE, prompting a re-evaluation of bacterial identification. Of 27 strains, 25 were cultivable, and re-examined using API 20NE, API 20E, MALDI-TOF, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and Vibrio-specific PCR assays. API 20NE confirmed the original (erroneous) identifications; all Vibrio-specific PCR assays ...
Clinical pregnancy outcomes after transfer of fresh and vitrified-warmed conventional IVF equine embryos.
Theriogenology    March 20, 2026   Volume 259 117911 doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2026.117911
Souza MG, Mota Melo L, Martinez RE, Teague SR, Beck RL.In vitro fertilization (IVF) in horses has emerged as a valuable assisted reproductive technology, yet the impact of embryo cryopreservation on pregnancy outcomes when utilizing this technique remains unclear. This study reports pregnancy outcomes following transfer of conventional equine IVF embryos, with both fresh and vitrified-warmed embryos. Conventional IVF (cIVF) was used to produce 40 embryos, which were transferred to recipient mares, pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 6 days post-transfer followed by embryonic heartbeat detection between day 25 and 30 of gestation. Observed pregnan...
Plasma Concentrations Following Oral Administration of Two Different Forms of Resveratrol in Horses.
Journal of equine veterinary science    March 20, 2026   105859 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105859
Mochal-King C, Strunk R, Paul L.Resveratrol is a compound found in multiple plants and there is evidence for its use as a supplement in horses, particularly through protection of chondrocytes. Previous studies on the clinical efficacy of resveratrol supplementation in horses have reported limited benefits. To date, there is no pharmacokinetic data of resveratrol in horses but the bioavailability of resveratrol in other species is poor. In this crossover study, the plasma concentrations of two forms of resveratrol were examined. Each horse received via nasogastric tube, either a single dose of resveratrol phospholipid or a st...
Successful resolution of natural Werneckiella equi infestation in two horses using pour-on Fipronil: A clinical observation.
Journal of equine veterinary science    March 20, 2026   105854 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105854
Duarte FRSC, Lima FR, Medeiros GC, Furtado LL, Aquino LPCT, Fonteque JH, Moura AB, Chryssafidis AL.Werneckiella equi is an ectoparasite of equids, and control can be challenging because of the limited availability of licensed products. This case report describes the clinical observation of 1% fipronil pour-on against W. equi infestation in horses admitted to a veterinary hospital. Two horses were treated and observed between 2022 and 2023. Both exhibited pruritus, especially in the head, withers, and croup regions, and were diagnosed with severe W. equi infestation. The treatment consisted of a single topical application of 1% fipronil pour-on (1 mg/kg). Parasite reduction was assessed by c...