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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(5); 902-910; doi: 10.1111/evj.13374

Monitoring equine ascarid and cyathostomin parasites: Evaluating health parameters under different treatment regimens.

Abstract: Strongylid and ascarid parasites are omnipresent in equine stud farms, and ever-increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance are challenging the industry with finding more sustainable and yet effective parasite control programs. Objective: To evaluate egg count levels, bodyweight and equine health under defined parasite control protocols in foals and mares at two Standardbred and two Thoroughbred stud farms. Methods: Longitudinal randomised field trial. Methods: A total of 93 foals were enrolled and split into two treatment groups, and 99 mares were enrolled and assigned to three treatment groups. All horses underwent a health examination, and episodes of colic or diarrhoea were recorded at each faecal collection date. Bodyweights were assessed using a weight tape, and mares were body condition scored. Group A foals (FA) were dewormed at 2 and 5 months of age with a fenbendazole/ivermectin/praziquantel product, while group B foals (FB) were dewormed on a monthly basis, alternating between the above-mentioned product and an oxfendazole/pyrantel embonate product. Group A mares (MA) were dewormed twice with fenbendazole/ivermectin/praziquantel, group B mares (MB) were dewormed with the same product, when egg counts exceeded 300 strongylid eggs per gram, and group C mares (MC) were dewormed every 2 months, alternating between the two products. Health data were collected monthly for 6 months (foals) and bimonthly for 13 months (mares). Data were analysed with mixed linear models and interpreted at the α = 0.05 significance level. Results: There were no significant bodyweight differences between foal groups, but MA mares were significantly lighter than the other two groups. Very few health incidents were recorded. Foals in group FA had significantly higher ascarid and strongylid egg counts, whereas no significant differences were observed between mare groups. Conclusions: Study duration limited to one season. Conclusions: Anthelmintic treatment intensity was lowered from the traditional intensive regimes without measurable negative health consequences for mares and foals.
© 2020 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-23 PubMed ID: 33119179DOI: 10.1111/evj.13374Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study aims to analyze the impact of various treatment protocols on the health of foals and mares, focusing on the levels of ascarid and cyathostomin (strongylid) parasites in equine stud farms, their body weight, and overall health conditions.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted as a longitudinal randomised field trial at two Standardbred and two Thoroughbred stud farms.
  • A total of 93 foals and 99 mares were enrolled in the study, with both groups being split into separate treatment groups. All participants underwent a health examination and possible episodes of colic or diarrhea were taken note of.
  • Strategies for treatment involved a combination of deworming medications. Foals in Group A (FA) were treated at 2 and 5 months with a fenbendazole/ivermectin/praziquantel product, whereas foals in Group B (FB) received a monthly alternation of the fenbendazole/ivermectin/praziquantel product and an oxfendazole/pyrantel embonate product.
  • Mares in Group A (MA) received two fenbendazole/ivermectin/praziquantel treatments, Group B (MB) mares were treated with the same product when egg counts exceeded 300 strongylid eggs per gram, and Group C (MC) mares were treated every 2 months, alternating between the two products.

Results

  • Bodyweight differences were not significant among foal groups. However, it was found that MA mares had lower body weights compared to other groups.
  • The study does not record a high number of health incidents, indicating that the treatment regimens were generally well-tolerated by the horses.
  • There were significant differences in egg counts between the foal groups. Foals in group FA displayed higher ascarid and strongylid egg counts. There were no significant differences in the egg counts among the mare groups.

Conclusions

  • The impact of the different deworming regimens could only be observed within one season due to the limitations of the study duration.
  • Despite reducing the intensity of traditional anthelmintic treatments, no measurable negative health consequences were observed in the mares and foals, suggesting the viability of these treatment alternatives in the fight against parasitic infections in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Nielsen MK, Gee EK, Hansen A, Waghorn T, Bell J, Leathwick DM. (2020). Monitoring equine ascarid and cyathostomin parasites: Evaluating health parameters under different treatment regimens. Equine Vet J, 53(5), 902-910. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13374

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 5
Pages: 902-910

Researcher Affiliations

Nielsen, Martin K
  • M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Gee, Erica K
  • Massey University, School of Veterinary Science, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Hansen, Alyse
  • Massey University, School of Veterinary Science, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Waghorn, Tania
  • AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Bell, Julie
  • Equivets NZ, Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services Ltd, Bulls, New Zealand.
Leathwick, Dave M
  • AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Ascaridida Infections / veterinary
  • Ascaridoidea
  • Feces
  • Female
  • Fenbendazole / therapeutic use
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Parasites

Grant Funding

  • New Zealand Equine Trust

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This article includes 34 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
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