A survey of the level of horse owner uptake of evidence-based anthelmintic treatment protocols for equine helminth control in the UK

Tzelos, Thomas; Morgan, Eric R.; Easton, Stephanie; Hodgkinson, Jane E.; Matthews, Jacqueline B.

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.108926

Cited by 31 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The present study is the first European countrywide survey providing data on parasite dynamics in donkeys and provides The frequency of anthelmintic treatment reported in this study is quite different to what has been reported in horses in Italy (Veneziano et al, 2015), where deworming was carried out by almost all owners (94.0%) and the frequency was mainly two or three times/year (68.6%) and comparable with other equine surveys (Schneider et al, 2014;Nielsen et al, 2018;Tzelos et al, 2019). Moreover, MLs (mainly IVM) were the most common drugs used to control endoparasites in Italian donkey farms, similarly to those used in horses (Veneziano et al, 2015;Becher et al, 2018;Nielsen et al, 2018;Wilkes et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…was low (1.0%) but in agreement with data reported in donkeys in few studies on the presence of tapeworms in Europe (Matthews & Burden, 2013). In horses, Anoplocephala perfoliata was detected with higher prevalence (Tzelos et al, 2019;Hedberg-Alm et al, 2020). This low prevalence could be correlated with the irregular excretion of tapeworm eggs in the faeces (Gasser et al, 2005).…”

Section: Journal Of Helminthologysupporting

confidence: 89%

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Helminth infections in Italian donkeys: Strongylus vulgaris more common than Dictyocaulus arnfieldi

et al. 2021

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Donkeys have been used as working animals for transport and farm activities worldwide. Recently, in European countries, there has been an increasing interest in donkeys due to their use as pets, onotherapy or milk production. During 2014–2016, a countrywide survey was conducted to determine prevalence and risk factors of principal helminth infections in 1775 donkeys in 77 Italian farms. A questionnaire on management and parasite control practices was filled out for each farm. Faecal samples were examined using a modified McMaster technique, a centrifugation/flotation method and a sedimentation technique. Pooled coprocultures were performed for differentiation of strongylid eggs. Strongyles were the most common parasites detected (84.9%), followed by Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (6.9%), Oxyuris equi (5.8%), Parascaris spp. (3.6%), Anoplocephala spp. (1.0%), Strongyloides westeri (0.3%). Coprocultures revealed an omnipresence of cyathostomins (100%), followed by Strongylus vulgaris (31.0%), Poteriostomum spp. (25.0%), Triodontophorus spp. (9.0%), Strongylus edentatus (7.0%), Strongylus equinus (5.0%). Logistic regression analysis identified breed, co-pasture with horses, living area, herd size and number of treatments as significantly associated with strongyles. Sex, age, living area and herd size were significantly associated with Parascaris spp. Dictyocaulus arnfieldi was significantly associated with sex, grass, co-pasture with horses, living area and herd size. Strongylus vulgaris was significantly associated with living area and herd size. The mean number of anthelmintic treatments/year was 1.4; most of the donkeys (71.8%) were dewormed using an ivermectin drug. It is important to design parasite programs to specifically address both D. arnfieldi and S. vulgaris in donkeys, and this is especially important if donkeys co-graze with horses.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Journal Of Helminthologysupporting

confidence: 89%

Helminth infections in Italian donkeys: Strongylus vulgaris more common than Dictyocaulus arnfieldi

et al. 2021

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“…The fundamental principle is to define an FEC threshold, above which horses receive anthelmintic treatment 28 . Strategies often revolve around 2 yearly faecal samples collected in the spring and autumn, 29,30 but some include more frequent samplings 31,32 . The eight sample collections in group MB of this study may be excessive for most adult horse populations, but the data obtained demonstrate that overall strongylid egg shedding can be controlled with very few anthelmintic treatments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Monitoring equine ascarid and cyathostomin parasites: Evaluating health parameters under different treatment regimens

Nielsen

Gee

Hansen

et al. 2020

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Background Strongylid and ascarid parasites are omnipresent in equine stud farms, and ever‐increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance are challenging the industry with finding more sustainable and yet effective parasite control programs. Objectives To evaluate egg count levels, bodyweight and equine health under defined parasite control protocols in foals and mares at two Standardbred and two Thoroughbred stud farms. Study design Longitudinal randomised field trial. Methods A total of 93 foals were enrolled and split into two treatment groups, and 99 mares were enrolled and assigned to three treatment groups. All horses underwent a health examination, and episodes of colic or diarrhoea were recorded at each faecal collection date. Bodyweights were assessed using a weight tape, and mares were body condition scored. Group A foals (FA) were dewormed at 2 and 5 months of age with a fenbendazole/ivermectin/praziquantel product, while group B foals (FB) were dewormed on a monthly basis, alternating between the above‐mentioned product and an oxfendazole/pyrantel embonate product. Group A mares (MA) were dewormed twice with fenbendazole/ivermectin/praziquantel, group B mares (MB) were dewormed with the same product, when egg counts exceeded 300 strongylid eggs per gram, and group C mares (MC) were dewormed every 2 months, alternating between the two products. Health data were collected monthly for 6 months (foals) and bimonthly for 13 months (mares). Data were analysed with mixed linear models and interpreted at the α = 0.05 significance level. Results There were no significant bodyweight differences between foal groups, but MA mares were significantly lighter than the other two groups. Very few health incidents were recorded. Foals in group FA had significantly higher ascarid and strongylid egg counts, whereas no significant differences were observed between mare groups. Main limitations Study duration limited to one season. Conclusions Anthelmintic treatment intensity was lowered from the traditional intensive regimes without measurable negative health consequences for mares and foals.

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“…The respondents described dropping removal followed by composting and muck-spreading as a sustainable approach to fertilising land and managing manure heaps [ 37 , 38 ]. Removing droppings from pasture is also ideal in terms of disrupting helminth lifecycles, hence reducing the need for the use of anthelmintics [ 25 , 39 , 40 ], particularly alongside the use of ruminants (e.g., sheep, cows) [ 25 ] or other species, which were sometimes employed on all three systems. A previous study found that avoidance of chemicals was a motivating factor in horse owners moving toward faecal egg count use rather than using anthelmintic products at regular intervals [ 24 ]; this study supports that finding, given that owners described being similarly motivated in avoiding chemical use for equid and pasture health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK

Furtado

King

Perkins

et al. 2022

Animals

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Equestrian grazing management is a poorly researched area, despite potentially significant environmental impacts. This study explored keepers’ use of alternative grazing systems in the care of UK horses, donkeys and mules through an internet survey. The survey was available during the summer of 2020 and comprised closed and open questions, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and iterative thematic analysis, respectively. A total of 758 responses was incorporated into the analysis; the most popular system used were tracks (56.5%), Equicentral (19%), “other” (e.g., non-grass turnout) (12.5%), rewilding (7.5%) and turnout on either moorland (0.7%) or woodland (2.5%). The thematic analysis highlighted that equid keepers across the systems were highly engaged in exploring sustainable practices. Their approaches varied according to each system, yet all aimed to fulfil practices in three major categories, i.e., supporting diverse plant life (usually through restricting equid access to certain areas), supporting wildlife (through the creation of biodiverse environments) and sustainably managing droppings and helminths. Additionally, proponents of the Equicentral systems declared to be aiming to support soil health. These data provide a promising insight into equid keepers’ behaviour and attitudes to sustainability.

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A survey of the level of horse owner uptake of evidence-based anthelmintic treatment protocols for equine helminth control in the UK

Cited by 31 publications

References 46 publications

Helminth infections in Italian donkeys: Strongylus vulgaris more common than Dictyocaulus arnfieldi

Helminth infections in Italian donkeys: Strongylus vulgaris more common than Dictyocaulus arnfieldi

Monitoring equine ascarid and cyathostomin parasites: Evaluating health parameters under different treatment regimens

An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK

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