Studies on the faecal egg output of horses after treatment with fenbendazole.

This research paper investigates the effectiveness of a deworming drug called fenbendazole on horses, showing that after treatment, horse faeces remained free of strongyle eggs, a common type of parasite, for weeks. This suggests that fenbendazole could be effectively used for less frequent, routine deworming treatments for horses.

Research Objectives and Methods

• The paper sets out to examine the effects of using fenbendazole, an anthelmintic (anti-parasitic drug), on the faecal egg output in horses and ponies. The main aim is to find whether fenbendazole can be an effective alternative for routine deworming treatments, specifically against strongyle parasites.
• The study involves the administration of fenbendazole at different dose levels – 7.5, 45, and 60 mg/kg – to horses and ponies and then analysing the faecal egg count over 6 to 18 weeks post-treatment.

Key Findings

• The study reports that following treatment with fenbendazole, the faeces of the horses remained free of strongyle eggs for duration ranging from 6 to 18 weeks, suggesting a thorough removal of the parasites.
• This significant finding implies that fenbendazole exhibits effective anti-parasitic action against strongyle parasites in horses, even at different dosage levels.

Implications and Recommendations

• This research illustrates the effective anti-parasitic action of fenbendazole in horses and ponies. It signifies its potential role in routine deworming treatments.
• Specifically, the ability of fenbendazole to clear strongyle parasites from the animal’s system and keep the faeces free from strongyle eggs for extended periods indicates that less frequent treatment intervals can be recommended as compared to other anthelmintics. This could potentially result in cost savings for horse owners and less stress for the animals.
• Further studies could potentially expand on the findings of this research, for example, looking at the mechanisms of action of fenbendazole against strongyles or examining its effectiveness over longer periods.