Anthelmintic activity of paste and drench formulations of oxfendazole in horses.

This research focused on testing the efficacy of two formulations (paste and drench) of a deworming drug, oxfendazole, in horses with naturally acquired worm infestations. The results demonstrated that both formulations were similarly effective at a dosage of 10 mg/kg, proving successful in eliminating several types of parasites.

Methodology

• The researchers administered oxfendazole in two types of formulations – paste and drench – to different groups of horses.
• Each group consisted of five horses, all of which were harboring naturally acquired worm infestations.
• The dosages used for the treatment was 10 mg/kg for both formulations.

Results

• Both the paste and drench formulations of oxfendazole proved similarly effective, suggesting that the success of the drug is not heavily dependent on its formulation.
• The drug was able to remove 100% of the adult populations of the following worm genera from the horses: Parascaris, Oxyuris, Strongylus, Triodontophorus, and Trichostrongylus axei.
• It achieved a 96 to 99% success rate against adult small strongyles, Habronema microstoma, and immature Oxyuris equi.
• Against immature small strongyles, the drug was at least 74 to 75% effective. It was 83 to 88% successful against fourth-stage larvae of S vulgaris in the mesenteric arteries, and 97 to 99% effective against fourth-stage S edentatus in flank lesions.
• The drug was less effective against early fifth-stage sheathed S vulgaris larvae in arteries.

Exceptions

• The drug was unable to remove very young Parascaris and Habronema.
• It had no effect against Anoplocephala perfoliata, or various stages (instars) of the Gasterophilus intestinalis and G nasalis species.

Conclusion

• These findings indicate that while oxfendazole is highly effective at treating a broad range of worm infestations in horses, it is less effective against certain parasites and developmental stages.
• Additional research may be needed to determine more effective treatment methods for these less susceptible parasites.