2024-05-27 09:49:46
In France, 94% of horse owners use dewormers to combat digestive tract parasites. Cupworms are a major digestive parasite of equids: all horses entering pasture are exposed to them. Most infected animals will show no symptoms. However, if the infection is severe, these gastrointestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, stunted growth, weight loss, and even death in young animals.
Using an inappropriate antiparasitic drug or using an unrecommended dose may have several consequences. The first one is Promote parasite resistance to the molecules used. The second is damaging to the horse’s health, disrupting its gut microbiota and creating toxicity risks. Antiparasitics may also be toxic to wildlife, particularly coprophagous insects such as dung beetles or aquatic species. Horse owners are advised to seek advice from their veterinarian on selecting a suitable anti-parasitic treatment and checking for the development of resistance to the molecules used.
Good practices to remember:
No systemic treatment
Antiparasitic drugs must be used Only if the level of infection exceeds a threshold that may affect the health of the animal. The presence of small amounts of digestive tract parasites is normal and poses no risk to the animal. Additionally, not all animals in a batch are infected in the same way. For example, studies have found that about 20% of adult horses in a herd excrete 80% of the eggs into the environment. To know the extent of an animal’s infection, the eggs in the feces can be identified and counted (fecal microscopic analysis) with the help of a veterinarian. Based on the analysis, it is recommended that only animals that excrete more than 500 eggs per gram of feces should be dewormed to reduce parasite infection levels in the community and protect the most vulnerable animals. sensitive.
Don’t deworm too early in the year
Deworming too early in the year promotes selection for resistance to insecticides. In fact, in late winter, the number of parasites sensitive to anthelmintics is low on the plot as the larvae die from the cold. Treating animals in the spring can result in the excretion of resistant parasites, which will compete with remaining susceptible parasite populations in the pasture. Therefore, horses and donkeys are at greater risk of reinfection with drug-resistant parasites. Additionally, spring application of macrolide-based antiparasitic drugs kills the eggs and larvae of coprophagous insects on which fecal recycling depends.
Adapting products to parasites
Not all anthelmintics are effective Not effective against all parasites at the same stage. For example, the antiparasitic molecule fenbendazole is only effective against adult worms. Products based on this molecule should not be used in late autumn and winter, when the parasite population mainly consists of larval stages. It is important to seek veterinary advice to determine the appropriate dewormer.
Carefully assess the weight of the animal to be treated
The dosage of antiparasitic drugs administered depends on the weight of the animal. dose too low Reduces the effectiveness of antiparasitic drugs and favors drug-resistant parasiteswho will survive treatment. Conversely, a dose Too much can be toxic For horses or donkeys undergoing treatment.
Use horse-appropriate products and administration methods
Antiparasitic drugs only with the following properties Marketing authorization for use in equines Must Use: Products intended for other animal species may be used in inappropriate doses or even contain molecules that are toxic to horses.
Likewise, one should not Apply repellent through tube : Antiparasitic medication for equines in the form of a paste. The dosage of antiparasitic drugs required and the effect of the product on animals were tested using this method of administration. The effectiveness of liquid repellents administered through a probe in horses is unknown.
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#Equine #Antiparasites #Response #Handson
