Equine parasites

Question 1

Describe P.equorum

Answer 1

found in SI
only found in youngsters
adults develop immunity
distinctive eggs found in faeces
PPP= 10 wks
resistant eggs in environment for several years with sticky outer shell

Question 2

Describe the lifecycle of P.equorum

Answer 2

1. hatching of third stage larvae L3 in the stomach and intestine, penetration of intestinal veins
   B= larvae reach liver via portal veins, migration through liver tissue and penetration of liver veins
   C= larvae reach lung via vena cava and right heart, penetration into lung alveoles and migrate into trachea and pharynx to SI

Question 3

What are the 2 types of disease associated with P.equorum?

Answer 3

ill thrift

fibrosis

Question 4

How can P.equorum be controlled?

Answer 4

• avoid using same paddocks for nursing mares and foals in successive years
• deworming from 1 months old every 4wks until 6 months old

Question 5

What is the drug of choice to treat P.equorum?

Answer 5

fenbendazole

Question 6

Describe S.vulgaris

Answer 6

adults residue in caecum and ventral colon
PPP= 6-7 months
causes colic

Question 7

Describe the lifecycle of S.vulgaris

Answer 7

oral uptake of l3 with grass
moves into large intestine and forms L4
enters lumen where it becomes an adult
thin-shelled eggs expelled with faeces and forms L1 within the egg moulting to second stage larva (L2) and infective third stage L3

Question 8

Describe cyathostomins

Answer 8

adults reside in caecum and large colon

eggs easily detected

Question 9

What disease can cyathostomins cause?

Answer 9

• sudden onset diarrhoea late winter/spring

- life threatening colitis/diarrhoea

Question 10

How can cyathostomins disease be treated?

Answer 10

Replace lost fluid and protein- enteral or IV fluids or plasma transfusion/synthetic colloids
Anti-inflammatories
Deworming- moxidectin vs fenbendazole
Supportive care and nursing

Question 11

Describe stronglyoides westeri

Answer 11

small intestine of nursing foals
PPP= 8-14days
diarrhoea in foals
important to deworm dam (moxidectin or ivermectin)

Question 12

Describe oxyuris equi

Answer 12

found in lumen
PPP= 5 months
diagnosed using sticky tape

Question 13

How can oxyurris equi be controlled?

Answer 13

febendazole or pyrantel
washing perineal area
decontimate environment

Question 14

Describe d.arnfieldi

Answer 14

found in donkeys
horses rarely have patent infections but develop severe bronchial inflammatory response
difficult to diagnose in horses

Question 15

Describe a.perforliate

Answer 15

cestode
residue in caecum
cause inflammation
IMH- forage mites
associated with colic

Question 16

Describe the lifecycle of A.perforliate

Answer 16

eggs expelled with faeces
eggs are taken up by box mites
infective cyasticercoids develop following oral uptake of infected mite with grass
cyastercercoids are released during digestion of the mite, larvae attach to intestinal mucosa and develop into adults