Practical aspects of equine parasite control: A review based upon a workshop discussion consensus |
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| Authors: | M K NIELSEN B FRITZEN J L DUNCAN J GUILLOT M EYSKER P DORCHIES C LAUGIER F BEUGNET A MEANA I LUSSOT‐KERVERN G
Von SAMSON‐HIMMELSTJERNA |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark;2. Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie University of Berlin, Germany;3. University of Glasgow, UK;4. Department of Parasitology‐Mycology, UMR‐AFSSA‐ENVA, Ecole Nationale Veterinaire d'Alfort, France;5. Division of Clinical Infectiology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands;6. Ecole Veterinaire Toulouse, France;7. AFSSA French Food Safety Agency, Equine Pathology Research Laboratory, France;8. Merial, Lyon, France;9. Dpto. Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain;10. and;11. 41 Allée Paul Cézanne, France. |
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| Abstract: | Development of resistance of several important equine parasites to most of the available anthelmintic drug classes has led to a reconsideration of parasite control strategies in many equine establishments. Routine prophylactic treatments based on simple calendar‐based schemes are no longer reliable and veterinary equine clinicians are increasingly seeking advice and guidance on more sustainable approaches to equine parasite control. Most techniques for the detection of equine helminth parasites are based on faecal analysis and very few tests have been developed as diagnostic tests for resistance. Recently, some molecular and in vitro based diagnostic assays have been developed and have shown promise, but none of these are currently available for veterinary practice. Presently, the only reliable method for the detection of anthelmintic resistance is a simple faecal egg count reduction test, and clinicians are urged to perform such tests on a regular basis. The key to managing anthelmintic resistance is maintaining parasite refugia and this concept is discussed in relation to treatment strategies, drug rotations and pasture management. It is concluded that treatment strategies need to change and more reliance should now be placed on surveillance of parasite burdens and regular drug efficacy tests are also recommended to ensure continuing drug efficacy. The present review is based upon discussions held at an equine parasite workshop arranged by the French Equine Veterinary Association (Association Vétérinaire Equine Française, AVEF) in Reims, France, in October 2008. |
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| Keywords: | horse cyathostomins Parascaris equorum tapeworms anthelmintic resistance diagnosis control |
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