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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Pharmacol Ther / A review on the treatment and control of ectoparasite infest...
Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics2020; 43(5); 421-428; doi: 10.1111/jvp.12874

A review on the treatment and control of ectoparasite infestations in equids.

Abstract: Ectoparasites infestations are a growing concern to horse owners and equine veterinarians alike. Ectoparasites cause significant health and welfare issues and can potentially can serve as vectors for a variety of pathogens. The prevalence of ectoparasites increases around the world, and especially in horses information on the successful prevention and treatment of ectoparasite infestations in scarce and in many instances anecdotal. This poses a challenge to the equine veterinarian and off-label use of drugs can lead to detrimental effects in horses. In this review we describe the current available evidence for the prevention and treatment of ectoparasite infestations in horses. Only a very limited number of products is approved for the use in horses and fortunately many of the other products that are used in an off-label manner appear to be safe in horses. Future research in this area should aim at providing PK/PD modelling data to assure appropriate and safe dose regimen to prevent and treat ectoparasite infestations in horses.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-03 PubMed ID: 32488977DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12874Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article is a review of existing treatments and prevention measures on ectoparasite infestations, such as ticks, mites, and lice, in horses, focusing on the limited number of approved products and necessity for further research to ensure safe dosages and usage.

Background of Ectoparasite Infestations in Horses

  • The article begins with a presentation of the problem: ectoparasites, external parasites that live on the body of their host, are becoming an increasing concern for both horse owners and equine veterinarians.
  • These parasites cause significant health and welfare issues for horses and potentially serve as vectors for a variety of pathogens, causing diseases.
  • The prevalence of ectoparasites is increasing around the world, and information regarding their successful prevention and treatment is largely anecdotal and limited.

The Challenge of Treating Ectoparasites

  • The paper addresses a significant challenge in treating ectoparasites: the lack of approved medications specifically for horses, leading to off-label use of drugs intended for other animals. Such use may lead to detrimental effects, thus posing additional health risks to the horses.
  • This situation underlines the need for equine-specific research on ectoparasite prevention and treatment to ensure efficacy and safety in horses, a gap this paper seeks to address.

Review of Current Treatments

  • The core of the study summarizes and reviews current available evidence for the prevention and treatment of ectoparasite infestations in horses.
  • The authors note that only a very limited number of products are approved specifically for use in horses. However, many off-label products appear to be safe in horses based on anecdotal and limited scientific evidence.

Future Research Recommendations

  • Finally, the paper suggests a focus for future research: providing PK/PD (Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic) modelling data to assure appropriate and safe dose regimen to prevent and treat ectoparasite infestations in horses.
  • Such research will ideally broaden the range of approved treatments available and provide more certainty around the safety and effectiveness of off-label treatments currently being used.

Cite This Article

APA
Karasek I, Butler C, Baynes R, Werners A. (2020). A review on the treatment and control of ectoparasite infestations in equids. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 43(5), 421-428. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12874

Publication

Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
ISSN: 1365-2885
NlmUniqueID: 7910920
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 5
Pages: 421-428

Researcher Affiliations

Karasek, Inga
  • Large Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.
Butler, Catherine
  • Large Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.
Baynes, Ronald
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Werners, Arno
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / drug therapy
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / prevention & control
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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