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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(17); doi: 10.3390/ani13172741

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

Abstract: In Sweden, routine deworming has been used for several decades; however, to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance, selective treatment is currently recommended. As part of a monitoring programme, equestrian premises submitted faecal samples to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) twice per year between 2008 and 2017. Analyses for strongyles (small and large), tapeworms and ascarids, followed by premise-specific advice regarding deworming and parasite control strategies, were provided. In total, 43,330 faecal samples, collected from 26,625 horses on 935 premises in springtime (March to June), were analysed by quantitative or semi-quantitative flotation. Moreover, Strongylus vulgaris was detected by larval culture or PCR. Between 4 and 11% of individual horses tested positive for S. vulgaris and 3-10% were shedding tapeworm eggs. There were recurrent high and low egg shedders; 75% of horses with S. vulgaris appeared to have been recently introduced into the herd; the proportion of S. vulgaris-positive premises increased when individual samples rather than pooled samples were used. Based on the results of S. vulgaris diagnostics and strongyle egg-shedding level, 59% of the horses did not need to be dewormed.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-28 PubMed ID: 37685005PubMed Central: PMC10486379DOI: 10.3390/ani13172741Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

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.

Cite This Article

APA
Osterman-Lind E, Holmberg M, Grandi G. (2023). Selective Anthelmintic Treatment in Horses in Sweden Based on Coprological Analyses: Ten-Year Results. Animals (Basel), 13(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13172741

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 17

Researcher Affiliations

Osterman-Lind, Eva
  • Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.
Holmberg, Mia
  • Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.
Grandi, Giulio
  • Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Stahel L, Bigler NA, Grimm F, Schnyder M, Oehm AW. Case report: The gastrointestinal nematode Strongylus vulgaris as a cause of hoof abscess in a donkey. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 10;21(1):454.
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    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2025.100600pubmed: 40472642google scholar: lookup
  3. Hedberg Alm Y, Tydén E, Martin F, Lernå J, Halvarsson P. Farm size and biosecurity measures associated with Strongylus vulgaris infection in horses. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):703-711.
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