Prevalence of selected species of internal parasites in equids at necropsy in central Kentucky (1995-1999).
A survey to determine current prevalence of several species of endoparasites in equids (n=350) at necropsy was conducted at the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center in central Kentucky (1995-1999). Thelazia lacrymalis were found in 42% of the 1- to 4-year olds (n=132), which was the only age group examined for these parasites. Five- to 30-year olds (n=157), examined for Onchocerca spp. worms/lesions, had a prevalence of 24%. In > or =1-year olds (n=324), the infection rate for Gasterophilus intestinalis was 12% for second instars and 14% for third instars and for Gasterophilus nasalis was 2% for second instars and 2% for third instars. For Anoplocephala perfoliata (n=268 equids), prevalence was 52%. Data were compiled for the equids according to breed, age, sex, month of necropsy, and number of parasites. Arterial lesions caused by migrating Strongylus vulgaris larvae were observed in a low number (3 of 52) of equids. Specific examination for Parascaris equorum revealed that 46% of 13 weanlings and 10% of 20 older horses were infected. Anoplocephala magna were found in one of the weanlings. Compared to previous studies (about 15-25 years ago) in Kentucky, the present survey indicated the genera Onchocerca and Gasterophilus greatly declined but Thelazia, Anoplocephala, and Parascaris did not.
Lyons
E T
ET
Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA. elyons1@pop.uky.edu
Swerczek
T W
TW
Tolliver
S C
SC
Bair
H D
HD
Drudge
J H
JH
Ennis
L E
LE
D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006736:Horses; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013802:Thelazioidea / Q000302:isolation & purification*