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Veterinary parasitology2005; 135(3-4); 333-335; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.09.010

Strongyle egg shedding consistency in horses on farms using selective therapy in Denmark.

Abstract: Knowledge of horses that shed the same number of strongyle eggs over time can lead to the optimization of parasite control strategies. This study evaluated shedding of strongyle eggs in 424 horses on 10 farms when a selective anthelmintic treatment regime was used over a 3-year period. Faecal egg counts were performed twice yearly, and horses exceeding 200 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces were treated. The results are presented as probabilities of the egg count outcome, when two previous egg counts are known. A horse with no strongyle eggs detected in the two previous faecal examinations had an 82% probability of a zero, and a 91% of being below 200 eggs per gram in the third examination. A horse with the two previous egg counts below 200 EPG had an 84% probability of being below 200 EPG the third time as well. When faecal egg counts exceeded 200 EPG on the previous two counts, the probability for a horse exceeding 200 EPG the third time was 59%. In conclusion, these data demonstrate consistent shedding from one grazing season to another in a majority of horses despite treatment of horses exceeding 200 EPG.
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Publication Date: 2005-10-13 PubMed ID: 16226379DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.09.010Google 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 study deals with understanding the consistency of strongyle egg shedding in horses in Denmark across farms using selective anthelmintic treatment over three years. The goal is to improve parasite control strategies.

Research Methodology

The study worked with a sample size of 424 horses spread across 10 different farms. The horses were treated with a selective anthelmintic regime and monitored for a duration of three years. As part of this monitoring, faecal egg counts were conducted twice every year. The aim was to identify whether the number of eggs being shed by the horses remained consistent over time. Horses that were found to be shedding more than 200 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces were treated with anthelmintic medication.

  • To evaluate the shedding, the researchers relied on the probabilities of the egg count outcome premised on two previous egg counts.

Key Findings

  • For horses that had no strongyle eggs detected in the previous two faecal examinations, there was an 82% probability that the third examination would also yield zero eggs. Further, the likelihood of the EPG count being below 200 was found to be 91%.
  • In the case of horses which had their egg counts stay below 200 EPG during the first two counts, there was an 84% probability that the third count would also stay below this threshold.
  • For horses where faecal egg counts went above 200 EPG in the first two counts, the likelihood of exceeding 200 EPG the third time was 59%.

Conclusions

The findings from this study show that there is a consistency in the shedding of strongyle eggs from one grazing season to the next in a majority of horses, despite the administration of treatment to horses when the EPG exceeded 200. These findings can help inform better parasite control strategies for horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Nielsen MK, Haaning N, Olsen SN. (2005). Strongyle egg shedding consistency in horses on farms using selective therapy in Denmark. Vet Parasitol, 135(3-4), 333-335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.09.010

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 135
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 333-335

Researcher Affiliations

Nielsen, M K
  • Department of Large Animal Sciences, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 48 Dyrlaegevej, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C., Denmark. mkn@kvl.dk
Haaning, N
    Olsen, S N

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Antinematodal Agents / pharmacology
      • Antinematodal Agents / therapeutic use
      • Denmark / epidemiology
      • Feces / parasitology
      • Horses
      • Ivermectin / pharmacology
      • Ivermectin / therapeutic use
      • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
      • Pyrantel Pamoate / pharmacology
      • Pyrantel Pamoate / therapeutic use
      • Seasons
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / prevention & control
      • Treatment Outcome

      Citations

      This article has been cited 23 times.
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