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Veterinary parasitology2017; 250; 45-51; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.12.012

Parasite control strategies used by equine owners in the United States: A national survey.

Abstract: The widespread occurrence of anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites across the world has led to recommendations of fecal egg count-based parasite programs to reduce treatment intensity and thereby delay further development of resistance as much as possible. The most recent study describing equine parasite control in the United States was conducted 20 years ago, and little is known about current strategies employed. This study was part of the National Animal Health Monitoring Systems (NAHMS) Equine 2015 Study, and aimed to describe equine parasite control strategies in the U.S. and evaluate to which extent respondents were in compliance with current guidelines. The study was carried out in 28 states, representing 70.9% of all equine operations with at least five equids present. Two questionnaires were administered, either by mail or delivered in person by veterinary medical officers. Participants provided specific details of their operation and were asked questions about strategies for anthelmintic therapy and diagnostic testing. A total of 380 operations provided data regarding their parasite control practices. Most respondents dewormed 2-3 times a year with ivermectin being the most commonly used anthelmintic. About 22% of respondents used fecal egg counts (FEC) in some form, with less than 10% using them on a regular basis. Less than 5% made use of fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT). These results suggest little change since the last nationwide survey was conducted in 1998, as the majority of respondents did not report using FECs. This is in stark contrast to recent European surveys, where 50-60% of respondents were using FECs routinely. However, the anthelmintic treatment intensity appears to have been lowered compared to 1998. Taken together, these results suggest a continuing need for education and outreach regarding sustainable parasite control.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2017-12-16 PubMed ID: 29329623DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.12.012Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The study investigates the strategies employed by equine owners in the United States for controlling parasites in horses, specifically in terms of use of fecal egg count-based programs and anthelmintic treatments. Findings highlight a lack of compliance with current guidelines and a need for more education regarding sustainable parasite control practices.

Background

  • The paper discusses the issue of anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites, which is a significant concern worldwide.
  • Reducing the intensity of treatment using fecal egg count-based parasite programs may slow the development of further resistance.
  • There has been no significant study describing the present equine parasite control strategies in the United States in the past 20 years, necessitating the current research.

Methodology

  • This study is part of the larger National Animal Health Monitoring Systems (NAHMS) Equine 2015 Study.
  • The survey covered 28 states, accounting for 70.9% of all equine operations with at least five equids.
  • Two questionnaires were administered either personally by veterinary medical officers or mailed to the participants.
  • Participants provided specific details about their operation and their strategies for anthelmintic therapy and diagnostic testing.

Findings

  • Data was provided by 380 operations about their parasite control practices.
  • Most respondents dewormed 2-3 times a year, with ivermectin being the most commonly used anthelmintic.
  • Only 22% of respondents used fecal egg counts (FEC) in any form, with less than 10% using it regularly.
  • Less than 5% made use of fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT).
  • The study found little change in the use of FECs since the last survey was conducted in 1998.
  • The use of FECs in the US contrasts starkly with European surveys, where 50-60% of respondents use FECs routinely.
  • However, the intensity of anthelmintic treatment seems to have been decreased compared to 1998.

Implications

  • The findings suggest a continued need for education and outreach concerning sustainable parasite control strategies.
  • The lack of compliance with current guidelines, especially the underuse of FEC-based programs, indicates that further efforts are needed to promote effective and responsible parasite control among equine owners in the US.

Cite This Article

APA
Nielsen MK, Branan MA, Wiedenheft AM, Digianantonio R, Garber LP, Kopral CA, Phillippi-Taylor AM, Traub-Dargatz JL. (2017). Parasite control strategies used by equine owners in the United States: A national survey. Vet Parasitol, 250, 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.12.012

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 250
Pages: 45-51

Researcher Affiliations

Nielsen, M K
  • M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. Electronic address: martin.nielsen@uky.edu.
Branan, M A
  • USDA-APHIS-VS-STAS Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Wiedenheft, A M
  • Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Digianantonio, R
  • Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Garber, L P
  • USDA-APHIS-VS-STAS Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Kopral, C A
  • USDA-APHIS-VS-STAS Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, National Animal Health Monitoring System, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Phillippi-Taylor, A M
  • Division of Therapeutic Drugs for Non-Food Animals, Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA, Rockville, MD, USA.
Traub-Dargatz, J L
  • Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry / statistics & numerical data
  • Animal Husbandry / trends
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Communicable Disease Control / statistics & numerical data
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Ivermectin / therapeutic use
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States

Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
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  8. Nielsen MK. Anthelmintic resistance in equine nematodes: Current status and emerging trends. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022 Dec;20:76-88.
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  14. Scare JA, Leathwick DM, Sauermann CW, Lyons ET, Steuer AE, Jones BA, Clark M, Nielsen MK. Dealing with double trouble: Combination deworming against double-drug resistant cyathostomins. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2020 Apr;12:28-34.
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