FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Monitoring equine ascarid and cyathostomin parasites: Evalua...
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-11-23 PubMed ID: 33119179DOI: 10.1111/evj.13374Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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

References

This article includes 34 references
  1. Nielsen MK. Evidence-based considerations for control of Parascaris spp. infections in horses.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2016;28:224-31.
  2. Peregrine AS, Molento MB, Kaplan RM, Nielsen MK. Anthelmintic resistance in important parasites of horses: does it really matter?. Vet Parasitol 2014;201:1-8.
  3. Bishop RM, Scott I, Gee EK, Rogers CW, Pomroy WE, Mayhew IG. Suboptimal efficacy of ivermectin against Parascaris equorum in foals on three Thoroughbred stud farms in the Manawatu region of New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 2014;62:91-5.
  4. Morris LH, Colgan S, Leathwick DM, Nielsen MK. Anthelmintic efficacy of single active and combination products against commonly occurring parasites in foals.. Vet Parasitol 2019;268:46-52.
  5. Love S, Murphy D, Mellor D. Pathogenicity of cyathostome infection.. Vet. Parasitol. 1999;85:113-22.
  6. Reid SW, Mair TS, Hillyer MH, Love S. Epidemiological risk factors associated with a diagnosis of clinical cyathostomiasis in the horse.. Equine Vet J 1995;27:127-30.
  7. Peregrine AS, McEwen B, Bienzle D, Koch TG, Weese JS. Larval cyathostominosis in horses in Ontario: An emerging disease?. Can Vet J 2006;47:80-2.
  8. Cribb NC, Cote NM, Boure LP, Peregrine AS. Acute small intestinal obstruction associated with Parascaris equorum infection in young horses: 25 cases (1985-2004).. N Z Vet J 2006;54:338-43.
  9. Clayton HM, Duncan JL. Clinical signs associated with Parascaris equorum infection in worm-free pony foals and yearlings.. Vet Parasitol 1978;4:69-78.
  10. Bolwell CF, Rosanowski SM, Scott I, Sells PD, Rogers CW. Questionnaire study on parasite control practices on Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding farms in New Zealand.. Vet Parasitol 2015;209:62-9.
  11. Robert M, Hu W, Nielsen MK, Stowe CJ. Attitudes towards implementation of surveillance-based parasite control on Kentucky Thoroughbred farms - current strategies, awareness and willingness-to-pay.. Equine Vet J 2015;47:694-700.
  12. Nielsen MK, Mittel L, Grice A, Erskine M, Graves E, Vaala W. AAEP parasite control guidelines.. American Association of Equine Practitioners Online at www.aaep.org; 2019.
  13. Rendle D, Austin C, Bowen M, Cameron I, Furtado T, Hodgkinson J. Equine de-worming: a consensus on current best practice.. UK-Vet Equine 2019;3:1-14.
  14. ESCCAP. A guide to the treatment and control of equine gastrointestinal parasite infections, 2nd edn.. European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites 2019.
  15. Leathwick DM, Sauermann C, Nielsen MK. Managing anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomin parasites: investigating the benefits of refugia-based strategies.. Int J Parasitol Drug 2019;10:118-24.
  16. Bellaw JL, Pagan J, Cadell S, Phethean E, Donecker JM, Nielsen MK. Objective evaluation of two deworming regimens in young Thoroughbreds using parasitological and performance parameters.. Vet Parasitol 2016;221:69-75.
  17. Henneke DR, Potter GD, Kreider JL, Yeates BF. Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares.. Equine Vet J 1983;15:371-2.
  18. Nielsen MK, Baptiste KE, Tolliver SC, Collins SS, Lyons ET. Analysis of multiyear studies in horses in Kentucky to ascertain whether counts of eggs and larvae per gram of feces are reliable indicators of numbers of strongyles and ascarids present.. Vet Parasitol 2010;174:77-84.
  19. Russel AF. The development of helminthiasis in Thoroughbred foals.. J Comp Pathol Ther 1948;58:107-27.
  20. Chapman MR, French DD, Klei TR. Prevalence of strongyle nematodes in naturally infected ponies of different ages and during different seasons of the year in Louisiana.. J Parasitol 2003;89:309-14.
  21. Nielsen MK, Lyons ET. Encysted cyathostomin larvae in foals - progression of stages and the effect of seasonality.. Vet Parasitol 2017;236:108-12.
  22. Laugier C, Sevin C, Ménard S, Maillard K. Prevalence of Parascaris equorum infection in foals on French stud farms and first report of ivermectin-resistant P. equorum populations in France.. Vet Parasitol 2012;188:185-9.
  23. Lyons ET, Tolliver SC. Strongyloides westeri and Parascaris equorum: Observations in field studies in Thoroughbred foals on some farms in Central Kentucky, USA.. Helminthologia 2014;51:7-12.
  24. Nielsen MK. Equine tapeworm infections - disease, diagnosis, and control.. Equine Vet Educ. 2016;28:388-95.
  25. Fabiani JV, Lyons ET, Nielsen MK. Dynamics of Parascaris and Strongylus spp. parasites in untreated juvenile horses.. Vet Parasitol 2016;230:62-6.
  26. Duncan JL, Love S. Preliminary observations on an alternative strategy for the control of horse strongyles.. Equine Vet J 1991;23:226-8.
  27. Gomez HH, Georgi JR. Equine helminth infections: control by selective chemotherapy.. Equine Vet J 1991;23:198-200.
  28. Nielsen MK, Pfister K, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Selective therapy in equine parasite control - application and limitations.. Vet Parasitol 2014;202:95-103.
  29. Uhlinger C. Uses of fecal egg count data in equine practice.. Comp Cont Educ Pract 1993;15:742-9.
  30. Tzelos T, Morgan ER, Easton S, Hodgkinson JE, Matthews JB. A survey of the level of horse owner uptake of evidence-based anthelmintic treatment protocols for equine helminth control in the UK.. Vet Parasitol 2019;274:108926.
  31. Becher AM, Mahling M, Nielsen MK, Pfister K. Selective anthelmintic therapy of horses in the Federal states of Bavaria (Germany) and Salzburg (Austria): An investigation into strongyle egg shedding consistency.. Vet Parasitol 2010;171:116-22.
  32. Lester HE, Morgan ER, Hodgkinson JE, Matthews JB. Analysis of strongyle egg shedding consistency in horses and factors that affect it.. J. Equine Vet Sci. 2018;60:113-9.
  33. Scott I, Bishop RM, Pomroy WE. Anthelmintic resistance in equine helminth parasites - a growing issue for horse owners and veterinarians in New Zealand?. N Z Vet J 2015;63:188-98.
  34. Wilkes EJA, McConaghy FF, Thompson RL, Dawson K, Sangster NC, Hughes KJ. Efficacy of a morantel-abamectin combination for the treatment of resistant ascarids in foals.. Aust Vet J 2017;95:85-8.

Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
  1. Bull KE, Allen KJ, Hodgkinson JE, Peachey LE. The first report of macrocyclic lactone resistant cyathostomins in the UK. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023 Apr;21:125-130.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.03.001pubmed: 36940551google scholar: lookup
  2. Cain JL, Nielsen MK. The equine ascarids: resuscitating historic model organisms for modern purposes. Parasitol Res 2022 Oct;121(10):2775-2791.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-022-07627-zpubmed: 35986167google scholar: lookup
  3. Steuer AE, Anderson HP, Shepherd T, Clark M, Scare JA, Gravatte HS, Nielsen MK. Parasite dynamics in untreated horses through one calendar year. Parasit Vectors 2022 Feb 8;15(1):50.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05168-zpubmed: 35135605google scholar: lookup
  4. Klass LG, Krücken J, Mbedi S, Sparmann S, Schenk T, Andreotti S, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Characterizing mixed strongyle infections in foals and broodmares using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I deep amplicon sequencing. Parasit Vectors 2026 Jan 3;19(1):65.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-07192-1pubmed: 41484633google scholar: lookup
  5. Abbas G, Nielsen MK, E-Hage C, Ghafar A, Beveridge I, Bauquier J, Beasley A, Wilkes EJA, Carrigan P, Cudmore L, Jacobson C, Hughes KJ, Jabbar A. Recent advances in intestinal helminth parasites of horses in the Asia-Pacific region: Current trends, challenges and future directions. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2025 Dec;29:100622.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2025.100622pubmed: 41135277google scholar: lookup
  6. Nielsen MK, Pyatt A, Perrett J, Tydén E, van Doorn D, Pihl TH, Schmidt JS, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Beasley A, Abbas G, Jabbar A. Global equine parasite control guidelines: Consensus or confusion?. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2025 Aug;28:100600.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2025.100600pubmed: 40472642google scholar: lookup
  7. Hamad MH, Jitsamai W, Chinkangsadarn T, Ngangam TS, Wattanapornpilom T, Naraporn D, Ouisuwan S, Taweethavonsawat P. Prevalence, risk factors, and species diversity of strongylid nematodes in domesticated Thai horses: insights from ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding. Parasitol Res 2024 Dec 17;123(12):410.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08438-0pubmed: 39688721google scholar: lookup
  8. Kuzmina TA, Königová A, Antipov A, Kuzmin Y, Kharchenko V, Syrota Y. Changes in equine strongylid communities after two decades of annual anthelmintic treatments at the farm level. Parasitol Res 2024 Nov 25;123(11):394.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08417-5pubmed: 39585485google scholar: lookup
  9. Fikri F, Hendrawan D, Wicaksono AP, Purnomo A, Khairani S, Chhetri S, Purnama MTE, Çalışkan H. Colic incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management in a working horse population in Tuban, Indonesia. Vet World 2024 May;17(5):963-972.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.963-972pubmed: 38911082google scholar: lookup
  10. Nielsen MK, Slusarewicz P, Kuzmina TA, Denwood MJ. US-wide equine strongylid egg count data demonstrate seasonal and regional trends. Parasitology 2024 May;151(6):579-586.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182024000489pubmed: 38629125google scholar: lookup
  11. Buono F, Veneziano V, Veronesi F, Molento MB. Horse and donkey parasitology: differences and analogies for a correct diagnostic and management of major helminth infections. Parasitology 2023 Oct;150(12):1119-1138.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182023000525pubmed: 37221816google scholar: lookup
  12. Nielsen MK. Anthelmintic resistance in equine nematodes: Current status and emerging trends. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022 Dec;20:76-88.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.10.005pubmed: 36342004google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.