Critical tests of suspension, paste, and pellet formulations of cambendazole in the horse.

The study evaluates the efficacy of three different formulations of an anthelmintic medicine, cambendazole – suspension, paste, and pellet, when administered to horses at varying dosage rates. The study found that all three formulations were equally effective in removing certain types of parasitic worms from the horses, and no adverse effects were observed.

Methodology and Findings

• The study was conducted on 21 horses which were given different formulations of the anthelmintic drug cambendazole to evaluate its effectiveness.
• The drug was administered in three formulations – suspension, paste, and pellet. The suspension was given to horses via a stomach tube, the paste was administered intraorally, and the pellet was fed to the horses. The dose rates varied from 10 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg.
• The study found that all three formulations of cambendazole were similarly effective regardless of the dose rate. They effectively removed a range of parasitic worms, showing 80% to 100% effectiveness in several cases. However, a few types of parasites seemed to be resistant.
• The study highlighted the effectiveness of cambendazole against various types of parasites including Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, and small strongyles. Whereas, its effectiveness was lesser against Gasterophilus intestinalis, Gasterophilus nasalis, Draschia megastoma, Anoplocephala perfoliata, and Anoplocephala magna.
• Additionally, it was noted that the anthelmintic drug did not cause any toxicosis or harm to the horses during the study.

Implications

• The findings of the research affirm the anthelmintic efficacy of cambendazole against a range of parasitic worms in horses.
• The study provides valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of three different formulations of the drug, stating that their performance was similar across varying dosage rates. This might suggest flexibility and options in choosing administration methods depending on the individual needs of the horse.
• The study also provides some indication of the types of parasites resistant to cambendazole treatment, offering a direction for future research to develop more effective treatments for these resistant parasites.