Oxfendazole: activity of a two-dose treatment regimen on natural infections of internal parasites of equids, with emphasis on migrating large strongyles in controlled tests in 1986 and 1987.

The study investigates the effectiveness of a two-dose oxfendazole treatment on equids (horses and ponies) for eliminating internal parasites, particularly large strongyles or worms. It showed this treatment significantly reduced parasite populations in the tested animals.

Research Method

• The study was conducted on 18 equids, comprising of 14 horses and 4 ponies between 5-24 months of age, across 5 controlled tests.
• Oxfendazole, in paste form, was administered orally in doses of 10 mg/kg body weight. The treatment was given twice, with a 48-hour gap in between.
• The focus was on combating naturally occurring internal parasites, with a special emphasis on migratory stages of Strongylus vulgaris and S edentatus. These are types of large strongyles or worms.
• Post 28-39 days after the first dose, the subjects were sacrificed and examined for different species of internal parasites.

Results and Findings

• The number of strongyles was significantly lower in the treated animals when compared to the untreated group.
• Across all tests, only 41 live specimens of S edentatus were recovered from the treated equids, compared to 810 live specimens from the untreated animals, indicating a 95% reduction.
• In addition, treated equids were found to have dead S edentatus, suggesting that the treatment resulted in parasite fatality.
• The study also found a significant number of S edentatus-related lesions in treated horses, contrasted with the soft, typical lesions of S edentatus infection found in untreated subjects.
• The treatment showed good overall activity against S vulgaris in the cranial mesenteric arteries of the equids.

Significance of the Study

• The significant reduction in internal parasites demonstrates the efficacy of the two-dose oxfendazole treatment in addressing the problem of internal parasites in equids.