Selective Anthelmintic Treatment in Horses in Sweden Based on Coprological Analyses: Ten-Year Results.

The research article discusses a decade-long study on an alternative approach to deworming horses in Sweden. Instead of the usual routine deworming, this study focuses on selective treatment based off results from faecal analysis conducted twice a year.

Overview of the Study

• The study was conducted over a ten-year period, from 2008 to 2017.
• Over this period, a total of 43,330 faecal samples were collected for analysis. These samples were obtained from 26,625 horses across 935 equestrian premises in the country.
• The samples were gathered during the spring, specifically between the months of March and June.

Analysis Method

• The samples underwent quantitative or semi-quantitative flotation to detect strongyles (both small and large), ascarids, and tapeworms.
• Additionally, specific parasites were discovered using larval culture or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques.

Findings

• The analysis found that between 4 to 11% of individual horses tested positive for a certain type of parasite, while 3 to 10% were shedding tapeworm eggs.
• There were indications of repeated high and low egg shedding in some horses.
• Discoveries suggest that 75% of horses infected with a specific parasite may have been recent additions to the herd.
• The likelihood of identifying parasites on a premise increased when individual samples were tested as opposed to pooled samples.

Implications and Outcome

• The results from the study showed credence for the use of selective treatment as opposed to routine deworming.
• Based on the outcomes of diagnosing a specific parasite and the level of strongyle egg-shedding, 59% of the horses did not need to undergo deworming.
• This approach could potentially slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance in horses, an increasing concern in equine health.