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Resistance to Benzimidazole Anthelmintics in Small Strongyles (Cyathostominae) of Horses in Denmark

Resistens overfor benzimidazolormemidler hos hestens små strongylider (Cyathostominae) i Danmark

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 32, pages 253–260 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

This study was undertaken to establish whether anthelmintic resistance was present in nematode parasites of horses in Denmark. Sixteen horse farms were selected for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests to measure the efficacy of the anthelmintic used. Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics was found on 13 of the 16 farms, with FECR values ranging from 80.0% to – 101.3 %. On the remaining 3 farms FECR was 100.0 %, 99.3 % and 97.2 %. Results of a questionnaire study on anthelmintic usage, parasite control measures and management practices showed that horses in this study were treated on average 7.1 times/year. Horse owners changed between preparations of drugs but almost only within the same class of anthelmintics. Nine owners gave an anthelmintic treatment to purchased horses before they were introduced on the farm. On 14 farms, the same paddock was grazed every year and the average stocking rate was estimated to be 2.4 horses/ha. Strategies to avoid development of anthelmintic resistance are discussed and recommendations of parasite control on horse farms are presented.

Sammendrag

Formålet med dette arbejde var at undersøge, om ormemiddelresistens var tilstede hos indvoldsorm i danske heste. Der udvalgtes 16 hestebesætninger, hvor alle anthelmintiske behandlinger var registreret ved præparat og behandlingstidspunkt mindst to år tilbage før undersøgelsestidspunktet. I besætningerne gennemførtes en såkaldt ”faecal egg count reduction” (FECR) test med henblik på at måle effektiviteten af det ormemiddel ejerne havde anvendt gennem de seneste år og endvidere foretoges en spørgeskemaundersøgelse over anvendelse af ormemidler, parasitbekæmpelse samt afgrænsningsforholdene i besætningen. I 13 besætninger blev der fundet resistens overfor benzimidazoler med FECR værdier varierende mellem 80.0 og – 101.3 %, mens FECR i de 3 øvrige besætninger fandtes til henholdsvis 100.0%, 99.3 % og 97.2 %. Resultaterne af spørgeskemaundersøgelsen viste, at hestene i gennemsnit behandledes 8.2 gange om året. I hovedparten af besætningerne anvendtes samme ormemiddel år efter år. Otte ejere ormebehandlede nyindkøbte heste, 5 ejere udførte ikke sådanne behandlinger og 3 ejere indkøbte aldrig heste. I 14 besætninger anvendtes samme areal til afgrænsning år efter år og belægningsgraden blev beregnet til 2.4 hest/ha i gennemsnit. Ormebekæmpelsesprogrammer, hvor risikoen for resistensudvikling er søgt minimeret, diskuteres ligesom bekæmpelsesmetoder uden anvendelse af ormemidler omtales.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Institute of Population Biology, Copenhagen University, Nørlund Hestehospital, and National Veterinary Laboratory, 13 Bülowsvej, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    H. Bjørn, Chr. Sommer, H. Schougård, Sv. Aa. Henriksen & P. Nansen

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  1. H. Bjørn
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  2. Chr. Sommer
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  3. H. Schougård
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  4. Sv. Aa. Henriksen
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  5. P. Nansen
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Bjørn, H., Sommer, C., Schougård, H. et al. Resistance to Benzimidazole Anthelmintics in Small Strongyles (Cyathostominae) of Horses in Denmark. Acta Vet Scand 32, 253–260 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546987

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147