Re-evaluation of ivermectin efficacy against equine gastrointestinal parasites.

The research article showcases two trials conducted to confirm the efficacy of ivermectin against gastrointestinal parasites in horses. The tests showed that ivermectin is highly effective in reducing such parasitic infections.

Research Methodology

• The research was carried out on 40 ponies in two individual trials. Twenty ponies were treated with ivermectin oral paste, while the rest served as control subjects.
• The dosage of treatment was set at 200 mcg x kg of the horses’ body weight, administered once on the starting day.
• It was confirmed that the ponies naturally acquired parasite infections before the trials through fecal examination.
• The ponies were necropsied for worm recovery between days 14 and 16, and the recovered parasites were identified down to their species.

Key Findings

• Horses that were treated with ivermectin had significantly fewer adult small strongyles and large strongyles, a reduction of more than 99% compared to the control group.
• The efficacy of ivermectin was also high (ranging from 94% to more than 99%) against other gastrointestinal parasites like Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae, Habronema species, Oxyuris equi, and Parascaris equorum.
• The results from these trials hence established that an oral paste of ivermectin, administered at 200mcg per kg of body weight, continues to be highly effective against small and large strongyles, as well as other species of gastrointestinal parasites.

Implications of the Study

• The research provides supportive evidence towards the high efficacy of ivermectin against equine gastrointestinal parasites.
• Findings from these two trials reinforce the recommendation of ivermectin paste as a treatment choice for parasitic infection in horses.
• This study will also contribute to the collective understanding and body of research on the use and impacts of ivermectin in treating parasitic infections.