Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients, Blood Parameters and Body Development of Dewormed and Not Dewormed Weanlings.

This research study investigates the effects of deworming medication on the growth, blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility in weanling colts, demonstrating that apart from calcium digestion, there were no significant differences between dewormed and undewormed groups.

Objective and Methodology

• In this study, the researchers aimed to compare differences in nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and overall body development in dewormed and not dewormed young horses, or weanlings.
• The investigators utilized fourteen Mangalarga Marchador weanling colts from a farm in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, dividing them into two groups: those that were dewormed (D), and those that were not (ND).
• The horses were kept separate for three months in pastures of Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. African Star Grass and were provided with supplemental Cynodon dactylon cv. Tifton 85 predried hay and a corn-based concentrate according to their body weight.
• The team conducted monthly measurements on fecal egg counts, weight, body condition, and various anatomical parameters, and performed a digestibility assay via total fecal collection. Deworming medication was administered to Group D whenever fecal egg counts exceeded 500.

Findings and Conclusions

• The results showed that the undewormed group was primarily infected by small strongyles, a common type of parasite in horses.
• There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of morphometric measurements, dry matter intake, and digestibility coefficients, denoting that parasitic infection did not majorly impact these elements.
• However, it was found that the apparent digestibility of calcium was higher in the dewormed group, suggesting that deworming could possibly have some effect on nutrient absorption of specific minerals.
• Overall, the study concluded that in weanlings fed nutrient-balanced, high grain diets, infection with small strongyles did not result in significant changes in growth, blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility, except possibly for calcium.