A study on selected anthelmintics on strongylosis along with haematology in horses in Quetta region

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate, worm load, effects of strongyles infestation on blood parameters and comparative efficacy of Oxfendazole, Ivermectin and Pyrantel anthelmintics against strongyles in the horses at Quetta and suburbs. For this purpose, 100 horses were randomly selected and kept untreated for anthelmintics for 3 months before commencement of study. Overall, prevalence was found to be at 48%. Among them, 40 positive horses were randomly divided into 4 groups namely A, B, C and D comprising 10 horses in each group. Group A was treated with Oxfendazole, group B with Ivermectin, group C with Pyrantel while group D was kept an untreated (No Anthelmintic). The efficacy of anthelmintics was evaluated on reduction of eggs per gram (EPG) of the faecal sample on day 7 and 14 post-medication. The efficacy of Oxfendazole in Group A was 91.43% and 97.14%, efficacy of Ivermectin was 95.24% and 97.62% whereas efficacy of Pyrantel was 87.18% and 94.87% on day 7th and 14th day post-medication respectively. All the anthelmintics administered were effective against strongylosis with ivermectin having comparatively better efficacy followed by oxfendazole and pyrantel. Worm load had direct relation on blood parameters and its reduction showed significant improvement in total erythrocyte count (TEC), Haemoglobin (Hgb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) on day 7 and 14. Efficacy of routinely used anthelmintics should be regularly determined through faecal examination for EPG count to cater for development of resistance.