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Helminthologia2021; 58(3); 225-232; doi: 10.2478/helm-2021-0031

A Survey of Control Strategies for Equine Small Strongyles in Lithuania.

Abstract: Anthelmintic resistance (AR) in equine cyathostomins is being reported all over the world. In Lithuania, however, the last study on this subject was published more than fifteen years ago, thus little is known about the current situation. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may associated with the development of AR on equine studs in Lithuania. A questionnaire containing seven open-ended and nine closed multiple-choice questions about worm control strategies, use of anthelmintic substances and stable management practices was posted to 71 randomly selected horse establishments in Lithuania. Replies were obtained from a total of 59 stables, representing 83 % of officially established stud farms in Lithuania. The results showed that more than 80 % of these establishments performed pasture management practices such as excrement removal from stables and pasture, 56 % mowed their pasture, 31 % practised mixed or rotational grazing with other species, and 97 % of the horses were routinely dewormed. Macrocyclic lactones (ML) (58 %, n=33) were the most commonly used drugs, followed by benzimidazoles (BZ) (24 %, n=14) and tetrahydropyrimidines (THP) (19 %, n=10). The majority of farms (60 %) treated horses four times per year and 68 % estimated the weight of the horses by eye before treatment. About 36 % of respondents had heard of faecal egg counts (FEC), but only 17 % used the test and as few as 9 % had tested their herds for AR with faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT). The results demonstrate that there is scope for improving routines for worm control in many horse establishments in Lithuania. In order to increase knowledge and reduce the risk of the spread of AR, diagnostic methods should be adopted in a collaboration between stud farms and veterinary practitioners.
© 2021 E. Dauparaitė, T. Kupčinskas, J. Hoglund, S. Petkevičius, published by Sciendo.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-30 PubMed ID: 34934386PubMed Central: PMC8647954DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0031Google 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 explores the current strategies for controlling Small Strongyles (a type of parasitic worm) in horses in Lithuania, given that resistance to anthelmintics (drugs that eliminate parasitic worms) is a growing concern worldwide. The research used a questionnaire to gather information about current practices at horse establishments in Lithuania, underlining a need for enhanced worm control routines and greater knowledge sharing to prevent further drug resistance.

Understanding the Research

  • The researchers’ primary purpose in this study was to gain insight into the factors that may be contributing to anthelmintic resistance in equine cyathostomins (Small Strongyles) in Lithuania. Given the last publication on this topic was over fifteen years prior, current knowledge was lacking.
  • The primary tool for gathering data was a questionnaire, which was sent to 71 random horse establishments across the country. The questionnaire comprised seven open-ended and nine multiple-choice questions that focused on worm control strategies, the use of anthelmintic substances, and general stable management practices.
  • The responders included a total of 59 stables, which represent 83% of all officially established stud farms in Lithuania.

Key Research Findings

  • The data revealed that more than 80% of the participating stables performed pasture management practices that included the removal of fecal matter from stables and pastures. Other practices noted were mowing the pasture (56%), mixed or rotational grazing with other species (31%) and routine deworming (97%).
  • In regards to drugs used for deworming, Macrocyclic lactones (58%) were the most commonly noted, followed by benzimidazoles (24%) and then tetrahydropyrimidines (19%).
  • Most horse establishments (60%) administered treatment four times annually and 68% estimated the weight of their horses visually prior to treatment, which is a critical factor in determining drug dosage.

Awareness and Use of Testing

  • About 36% of the respondents were aware of faecal egg counts (FEC) testing, which is used to gauge the level of parasitic infection in the animals.
  • However, only 17% of the respondents used it, and even fewer (9%) had tested their herds for anthelmintic resistance using the FEC reduction tests (FECRT).

Implications of the Study

  • The authors argued that based on the responses received, there was ample room for improving routines concerning worm control in many horse establishments in Lithuania.
  • To reduce the risk of the spread of drug-resistant parasites, the authors recommend a greater emphasis on diagnostic methods and closer collaboration between stud farms and veterinary practitioners to increase knowledge and support more effective parasitic control efforts.

Cite This Article

APA
Dauparaitė E, Kupčinskas T, Hoglund J, Petkevičius S. (2021). A Survey of Control Strategies for Equine Small Strongyles in Lithuania. Helminthologia, 58(3), 225-232. https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2021-0031

Publication

Helminthologia
ISSN: 0440-6605
NlmUniqueID: 0043764
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 3
Pages: 225-232

Researcher Affiliations

Dauparaitė, E
  • Laboratory for Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Kupčinskas, T
  • Laboratory for Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Hoglund, J
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P. O. Box 7063, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Petkevičius, S
  • Laboratory for Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of Interest Authors state no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Ullah A, Geng M, Chen W, Zhu Q, Shi L, Zhang X, Akhtar MF, Wang C, Khan MZ. Effect of Parasitic Infections on Hematological Profile, Reproductive and Productive Performance in Equines. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 14;15(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15223294pubmed: 41302002google scholar: lookup
  2. Dauparaitė E, Kupčinskas T, Varady M, Petkevičius S. Anthelmintic resistance of horse strongyle nematodes to fenbendazole in Lithuania. Acta Vet Scand 2022 Sep 15;64(1):26.
    doi: 10.1186/s13028-022-00645-ypubmed: 36109767google scholar: lookup
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