Critical tests of the antiparasitic activity of thiabendazole and trichlorfon sequentially administered to horses via stomach tube.

This research article investigates the effectiveness of two antiparasitic drugs – thiabendazole and trichlorfon – against various horse parasites. The drugs were given to naturally infected horses via a stomach tube and resulted in high removal rates of various parasites.

Research Objective and Methodology

• The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of two antiparasitic drugs, thiabendazole (44 mg/kg of body weight) and trichlorfon (40 mg/kg of body weight), against helminths and bot infections in horses.
• The researchers carried out thirteen separate tests involving horses that were naturally infected with these parasites.
• Both drugs were administered through a stomach tube, and the authors carefully monitored the reaction of the parasites over a given period.

Key Results

• The results showed an overall positive effect of the drugs, with varying removal efficiencies for different parasites.
• The combination of the two drugs was 100% effective in removing parasites such as 2nd instar Gasterophilus intestinalis and 2nd and 3rd instar Gasterophilus nasalis.
• The removal efficacy was found to be between 82 to 100% for 3rd instar G intestinalis.
• For other parasites such as mature and immature Parascaris equorum and mature Oxyuris equi, the medication resulted in complete removal.
• The drugs displayed removal efficacies between 89 to 100% against Strongylus vulgaris, and 82 to 100% against Strongylus edentatus.
• For Strongylus equinus, removal efficiencies were slightly lower at 72 and 100% for the two infected horses.
• Seven out of the thirteen horses treated experienced temporary semi-liquid feces during the 24 hours immediately following treatment.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that the antiparasitic drugs thiabendazole and trichlorfon demonstrated significant effectiveness in combating various parasites common in horses.
• However, it’s important to note that some side effects, like changes in defecation, were observed in some cases.
• The authors suggest that further studies may be carried out to optimize dosages to minimize such side effects, while retaining high removal efficiency of the parasites.