The anthelmintic efficacy of cambendazole in horses.

The research investigates the effectiveness of Cambendazole, a medication for worms, in treating intestinal parasites in horses, finding that it is successful against certain types of worms but not all.

Introduction and Methodology

• The researchers set out to determine the effectiveness of Cambendazole 31% paste as a treatment against naturally occurring gastrointestinal parasites in horses.
• This was a controlled trial divided into four groups, each consisting of five adult horses.
• The species of parasites targeted included the large strongyles Strongylus edentatus and S. vulgaris, the stomach worm Trichostrongylus axei, the pinworms Oxyuris equi and Probstmayria vivipara and all the species of small strongyles present.
• The doses were administered at rates of 0, 15, 20 and 25 mg/kg. The group receiving a 0 mg/kg dose likely served as a control group for comparison.

Results and Findings

• The three dose levels of Cambendazole that were tested (15, 20, 25 mg/kg) effectively treated several types of intestinal parasites in the horses.
• It successfully treated large strongyles (Strongylus edentatus and S. vulgaris), stomach worm (Trichostrongylus axei), pinworms (Oxyuris equi and Probstmayria vivipara), and all species of small strongyles noted during the trial.
• Despite its success against the aforementioned parasites, Cambendazole wasn’t effective against two types of parasites: the tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata, or the horse bots Gasterophilus intestinalis or G. nasalis.

Conclusion and Implications

• Overall, the results suggest that Cambendazole can be an effective treatment for a range of gastrointestinal parasites in horses, but its effectiveness is not universal.
• This specificity might lead to recommendations for its use in cases where the parasites are known to be sensitive to Cambendazole, while other medications may be needed for parasites resistant to this drug.