Anthelmintic efficacy on Parascaris equorum in foals on Swedish studs.

The research article investigates the effectiveness of various anthelmintic drugs on reducing the output of ascarid eggs in foals infected with the parasite Parascaris equorum in Swedish studs. The study concludes that ivermectin proved largely ineffective and suggests the use of fenbendazole or pyrantel instead.

Study’s Purpose and Methodology

• The primary purpose of this research was to explore the effectiveness of three anthelmintic drugs namely, ivermectin, fenbendazole, and pyrantel, in treating the infections of Parascaris equorum, a type of parasite, in foals at stud farms.
• The study stemmed from the concern regarding the rising issues of infections in foals at these farms despite rigorous deworming programs being undertaken.
• To investigate the issue, the authors employed a Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) on nine large stud farms in Sweden.
• The drugs were administered orally, and faecal samples from the foals were evaluated for the presence of ascarid eggs both on the day of deworming and 14 days after the treatment.
• To ascertain the efficacy of the drugs, the authors calculated the Faecal Egg Count Reductions (FECRs) based on the arithmetic means of altered individual FECRs and on the arithmetic means of individual FECRs.

Major Observations and Conclusions

• Out of the total 165 foals sampled, 79 (48%) were found to be hosting P. equorum eggs prior to the deworming process.
• Upon examination, it was observed that ivermectin displayed little to no activity on reducing the output of ascarid eggs in most foals. In opposition, fenbendazole and pyrantel showcased an effectiveness greater than 90%.
• Ivermectin resistance was documented on 5 out of the 6 farms surveyed, pointing towards its inefficacy against P. equorum infections.
• Thus, the authors concluded that fenbendazole and pyrantel should be preferred over ivermectin for controlling the said infections in foals.

Study’s Implications

• This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of different anthelmintic drugs against P. equorum infections in foals and contributes significantly to the understanding of anthelmintic resistance.
• By demonstrating the inefficacy of ivermectin, the study has crucial implications for farm management and veterinary practices. It suggests a need to revise deworming strategies at stud farms.
• The research findings recommend employing fenbendazole and pyrantel as the primary drugs of choice in tackling the said infections, thereby providing a concrete course of action for their better management and control.