<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Anthelmintic resistance (AR) in equine cyathostomins is being reported all over the world. In Lithuania, however, the last study on this subject was published more than fifteen years ago, thus little is known about the current situation. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may associated with the development of AR on equine studs in Lithuania. A questionnaire containing seven open-ended and nine closed multiple-choice questions about worm control strategies, use of anthelmintic substances and stable management practices was posted to 71 randomly selected horse establishments in Lithuania. Replies were obtained from a total of 59 stables, representing 83 % of officially established stud farms in Lithuania.
The results showed that more than 80 % of these establishments performed pasture management practices such as excrement removal from stables and pasture, 56 % mowed their pasture, 31 % practised mixed or rotational grazing with other species, and 97 % of the horses were routinely dewormed. Macrocyclic lactones (ML) (58 %, n=33) were the most commonly used drugs, followed by benzimidazoles (BZ) (24 %, n=14) and tetrahydropyrimidines (THP) (19 %, n=10). The majority of farms (60 %) treated horses four times per year and 68 % estimated the weight of the horses by eye before treatment. About 36 % of respondents had heard of faecal egg counts (FEC), but only 17 % used the test and as few as 9 % had tested their herds for AR with faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT).
The results demonstrate that there is scope for improving routines for worm control in many horse establishments in Lithuania. In order to increase knowledge and reduce the risk of the spread of AR, diagnostic methods should be adopted in a collaboration between stud farms and veterinary practitioners.</abstract>

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) in equine cyathostomins is being reported all over the world. In Lithuania, however, the last study on this subject was published more than fifteen years ago, thus little is known about the current situation. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may associated with the development of AR on equine studs in Lithuania. A questionnaire containing seven open-ended and nine closed multiple-choice questions about worm control strategies, use of anthelmintic substances and stable management practices was posted to 71 randomly selected horse establishments in Lithuania. Replies were obtained from a total of 59 stables, representing 83 % of officially established stud farms in Lithuania.
The results showed that more than 80 % of these establishments performed pasture management practices such as excrement removal from stables and pasture, 56 % mowed their pasture, 31 % practised mixed or rotational grazing with other species, and 97 % of the horses were routinely dewormed. Macrocyclic lactones (ML) (58 %, n=33) were the most commonly used drugs, followed by benzimidazoles (BZ) (24 %, n=14) and tetrahydropyrimidines (THP) (19 %, n=10). The majority of farms (60 %) treated horses four times per year and 68 % estimated the weight of the horses by eye before treatment. About 36 % of respondents had heard of faecal egg counts (FEC), but only 17 % used the test and as few as 9 % had tested their herds for AR with faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT).
The results demonstrate that there is scope for improving routines for worm control in many horse establishments in Lithuania. In order to increase knowledge and reduce the risk of the spread of AR, diagnostic methods should be adopted in a collaboration between stud farms and veterinary practitioners.

A survey of control strategies for equine small strongyles in Lithuania

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"A survey of control strategies for equine small strongyles in Lithuania"}

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) in equine cyathostomins is being reported all over the world. In Lithuania, however, the last study on this subject was published...

Worm-control factor	Number	%	95 % CI
Anthelmintic classes used on horse farms
Macrocyclic lactones ᵃ	33	58 %	(45 – 70)*
Benzimidazoles ᵇ	10	19 %	(10 – 29)*
Tetrahydropyrimidine ͨ	14	24 %	(15 – 37)*

Treatment frequency
Once	2	4 %	(1 – 12)*
Twice	16	28 %	(18 – 41)*
Three times	4	7 %	(3 – 17)*
Four times	34	60 %	(47 – 71)*
Seven times	1	2 %	(0 – 9)*

Anthelmintic dosage calculate
Weight tape, weight formula	3	5 %	(2 – 14)*
By eye	39	68 %	(56 – 79)*
One tube/packet per animal	15	25 %	(17 – 39)*

Responsible for administering anthelmintic
Stud farm owner	38	65 %	(52 – 75)*
Veterinarian	15	25 %	(16 – 38)*
Farm manager	6	10 %	(5 – 21)*

Drug rotation
Every treatment	15	26 %	(17 – 39)
Every year	23	41 %	(29 – 53)
Every 2-3 years	19	33 %	(23 – 46)

FEC/FECRT
Aware of FEC test	21	36 %	(25 – 48)*
FEC used	10	18 %	(28 – 68)*
Monitoring and disease diagnosis	3	5 %	(11 – 60)*
Detection of AR	2	4 %	(6 – 51)*
Selection of horses for treatment	5	9 %	(24 – 76)*
Aware of FECRT	16	28 %	(17 – 40)*
FECRT used	5	9 %	(14 – 56)*

Pasture management practices	Number	%	95 % CI
No pasture management practices	12	20 %	(12 – 32)*
Pasture management practices	47	80 %	(68 – 88)*
Faecal removal:	40	85 %	(72 – 93)*
at least once per week	8	20 %	(11 – 35)
at least once per month	15	38 %	(24 – 53)
at least once per quarter	12	30 %	(18 – 45)
once per year	5	12 %	(6 – 26)
Mixed grazing	15	31 %	(20 – 46)*
Pasture mowing	28	56 %	(45 – 72)*

A survey of control strategies for equine small strongyles in Lithuania

Pubblicato online: 30 set 2021

Pagine: 225 - 232

Ricevuto: 06 gen 2021

Accettato: 29 mar 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2021-0031

Parole chiave
questionnaire, parasite control, anthelmintic resistance

© 2021 E. Dauparaitė, T. Kupčinskas, J. Hoglund, S. Petkevičius, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Number, percentage and confidence interval (95% CI) of anthelmintic selection and administration practices assessed by questionnaires (n=59) on intestinal worm control practices in horses in Lithuania.

Number, percentage and confidence interval (95% CI) of combinations of pasture management practices assessed by questionnaires (n=59) on intestinal worm control practices in horses in Lithuania.

A survey of control strategies for equine small strongyles in Lithuania

Pubblicato online: 30 set 2021

Pagine: 225 - 232

Ricevuto: 06 gen 2021

Accettato: 29 mar 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2021-0031

Parole chiavequestionnaire, parasite control, anthelmintic resistance

© 2021 E. Dauparaitė, T. Kupčinskas, J. Hoglund, S. Petkevičius, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Number, percentage and confidence interval (95% CI) of anthelmintic selection and administration practices assessed by questionnaires (n=59) on intestinal worm control practices in horses in Lithuania.

Number, percentage and confidence interval (95% CI) of combinations of pasture management practices assessed by questionnaires (n=59) on intestinal worm control practices in horses in Lithuania.

Parole chiave
questionnaire, parasite control, anthelmintic resistance