Abstract

SURVEY ON ANTHELMINTIC EFFICACY OF FENBENDAZOLE AGAINST GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN HORSES OF MARAGHEH CITY, IRAN

Garedaghi Yagoob*, Javidibarazandeh Mohammad Ali, Abbaszadeh Habib

ABSTRACT

The prevalence and anthelmintic efficacy of Fenbendazole against gastrointestinal parasites under field conditions in Maragheh city, Iran was studied in 100 horses. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 65%, including Strongylus spp. (52%), Oxyuris equi (8%), Parascaris equorum (5%) and mixed infection (4%). Among these naturally infected animals, 15 were selected. These horses were assigned to three groups on the basis of prevalent species of gastrointestinal parasites. Each group had five animals, comprising four treatment horses and a control horse. Fenbendazole was evaluated against these gastrointestinal parasites with a single shot at the dose rate of 15 ml/50kg body weight administered through Orally route which resulted in 97% reduction in faecal egg count after day 14 post-treatment. Non-treated horses remained positive for gastrointestinal parasites. No adverse reactions were observed during the experimental period. It was concluded that Fenbendazole is highly effective against gastrointestinal parasites in horses.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal parasites, horses, efficacy, Fenbendazole, Maragheh, Iran.