Horse Parasite Control Programs

Parasites should be viewed as a natural state, and we should recognize that even frequent treatments will not prevent them completely. Our goal is not to eliminate parasites, as history has shown us this is impossible and only leads to anthelmintic resistance. Instead, our goal should be to reduce parasite contamination levels in the environment and thereby keep parasite burdens under control.
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Because of the potential for anthelmintic resistance, deworming decisions should be based on fecal egg counts, not just the calendar.

Parasites in horse establishments have most likely been overtreated in recent decades. The advent of highly efficacious drug formulations has led the equine industry to rely too much on anthelmintic treatment. We now know this excessive reliance has led to increasing levels of resistance to the drugs available, and recommendations now are based upon systematic surveillance and a much less intensive treatment regimen.

In this article I will highlight the most important points and concepts in parasite control. For more details watch the  archived Webinar on this topic. Also, watch our April 27 Ask The Vet Live event on parasite basics and deworming on TheHorse.com (sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, featuring this author)

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Written by:

Martin Krarup Nielsen, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM, is an associate professor of parasitology and the Schlaikjer professor in equine infectious disease at the University of Kentucky’s Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. His research focus includes parasite diagnostic measures and drug resistance. Known as a foremost expert in the field of equine parasites, Nielsen chaired the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) parasite control task force, which produced the “AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines.”

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