Effectiveness of ivermectin paste for removal of nematodes in the horse.

This research investigates the effectiveness of an oral medication (ivermectin paste) in removing nematodes (a type of parasite) from horses, finding it to be highly effective.

Study Setup

• The researchers involved a total of 26 Standardbred horses aged between two to five years in their study.
• Initially, half of them were orally administered with a dose of ivermectin paste, while the other half were left untreated. The dose was proportionate to their body weight at 200µg/kg.
• Two weeks post initial treatment, the previously untreated group of horses were then given the ivermectin paste.
• The health of all horses, their consumption of the paste, and any signs of toxicosis were carefully noted and monitored throughout the study.

Data Collection and Results

• Fecal samples were taken at the time of treatment and then periodically over a 14-week period. These samples were used for examining nematode eggs, utilizing the Cornell-McMaster dilution and the Cornell-Wisconsin double centrifugation procedures.
• Before treatment, strongyle (a type of nematode) eggs were discovered in all the horse’s fecal samples.
• However, two to three weeks after treatment, these eggs were not detected in the fecal matter.
• Five to six weeks post-treatment, strongyles eggs were identified only in two horses’ samples. As the weeks progressed, the percentage of horses with strongyle eggs increased gradually, although the egg count dropped to no more than 18% of the pre-treatment samples.

Conclusion

• No toxicity was observed as all horses readily consumed the ivermectin paste and showed no signs of toxicosis.
• The researchers concluded that the ivermectin oral paste appeared to be highly effective against both adult and immature strongyles in horses, drastically reducing the nematode count post-treatment.