Critical tests of the anthelmintic febantel in the horse: activity of a paste formulation alone or with a trichlorfon paste.

The research article evaluates the effectiveness of the veterinary drugs febantel and trichlorfon in a paste formulation, used alone or together, in eliminating certain parasites from infected horses. Results show nearly complete removal of different parasite species with minimal side effects from the treatment.

Research Design and Methodology

• The study engaged in critical testing, a rigorous and meticulous method to measure the antiparasitic activity of febantel and trichlorfon.
• Ten horses were involved in the research where the paste formulations of the anthelmintics were administered intra-orally (directly into the mouth).
• Five tests were carried out using febantel alone, and another five tests utilizing a combination of febantel and trichlorfon to evaluate their collaborative activity.
• The dosage levels were at 6mg of febantel per kg of the horse (active ingredient) and 35mg of trichlorfon per kg (active ingredient).

Findings and Results

• Febantel alone eliminated 100% of mature and immature Parascaris equorum, Strongylus vulgaris, S edentatus, and mature Oxyuris equi.
• Febantel alone also eliminated 96% of small strongyles observed in one horse, but had no effect on bots detected in five other horses.
• The treatment combining febantel with trichlorfon led to 100% elimination of a broader range of mature and immature parasites, including P equorum, S vulgaris, S edentatus, O equi, Gasterophilus intestin-equi, and C nasalis.
• The combined treatment also eliminated 98% of small strongyles and between 65% to 100% of 3rd-instar C intestinalis, with an aggregate removal rate of 99% for the latter.

Side Effects

• The treatments exhibited minimal side effects, with only a transient (temporary) softening of feces observed in one of the five horses that received both the febantel and trichlorfon paste.

Conclusion

• The study implies that both febantel alone and particularly in combination with trichlorfon are highly effective in eradicating several parasite species in horses.
• These drugs could be considered suitable treatments for parasitic infections in horses, given their high elimination rates and limited side effects.