Parasites in Kentucky Thoroughbreds at necropsy: emphasis on stomach worms and tapeworms.

The research article discusses the presence of different types of parasites found in Kentucky Thoroughbreds, with a special emphasis on stomach worms and tapeworms, during necropsy over a one-year study period.

Study Sample and Duration

• The study was conducted over a 12 month period between February 1981 and February 1982 on 363 Kentucky Thoroughbreds consisting of 62 males, 292 females, and 9 geldings, aged between 1 and 26 years old.

Parasite Examination

• The researchers paid particular attention to inspecting the stomach for nematodes, and the small intestine and cecum for tapeworms.

Parasites Found and Infection Rates

• The parasites found in the stomach and prevalent infection rates were: Habronema spp–immature (24%), H muscae–adult (38%), Draschia megastoma–immature (13%), D megastoma–adult (62%), and Trichostrongylus axei–adult (4%).
• Relevant lesions were reportedly caused by D megastoma in 58% of the stomachs that were examined.

Tapeworm Infection Rates

• The tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, was found in 54% of the horses, whereas A. magna was not recovered at all.

Influence of Age, Sex, and Season

• The researchers did not observe any significant differences in infection rates of stomach worms and tapeworms with respect to the age or sex of the horses.
• Seasonal differences were however noticed for immature Habronema spp and immature D megastoma, where infection rates started rising in June, peaked in October, and subsequently declined.

Additional Parasite Presence

• The presence of four additional species of parasites was recorded but not surveyed in-depth.
• These parasites were the large strongyles, Strongylus vulgaris, S edentatus, and S equinus, from the cecum and a filariid, Setaria spp (probably S equina), from the abdominal cavity; the respective recovery rates from the horses were 8%, 8%, 1%, and 7%.