Cyathostominae and other strongyles of horses in the Federal Republic of Germany.

This study examined the feces of horses and ponies in Germany and identified the small strongyles (a type of worm) present. Despite using modern anthelmintics (medicines used to rid the body of parasitic worms) for the past 20 years, there was no significant change in the types of parasite species found in the horses.

Introduction and Methodology

• This research investigates the prevalence of various species of small strongyles (intestinal parasites) in the horse population in the Federal Republic of Germany.
• The study involved testing the feces of a sample of 34 horses from the Bavarian main and state studfarm Schwaiganger (referred to as Group I), and 10 ponies from various regions of Germany (Group II).

Findings: Strongyle Species Identified

• A total of 4,834 small strongyles were identified through this research.
• The study found three species of these parasites – Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, and Cylicocylus nassatus, to be widely distributed across the tested populations.

Anthelmintics and Change in Parasite Composition

• The researchers noted that despite using various modern anthelmintics (medicines that act against parasitic worms) with different active ingredients over the past 20 years, there has been no significant change in the composition of parasitic species in horses in Germany.
• This suggests that the current anthelmintic treatments may not be effective at altering the composition of parasitic species in the horse and pony populations, or new species might have emerged that are resistant to the treatment.

Implications

• The study provides valuable information about the prevalence and diversity of small strongyles in the German horse and pony populations. Such knowledge is important for developing targeted and effective treatments for these parasitic infections.
• If established anthelmintics fail to bring about change in the composition of these parasites, it implies that review and change in the current parasite management strategies in horses might be necessary.