Occurrence of roundworm (Parascaris equorum) in horses from small farms based on necropsy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of roundworm infection in working horses slaughtered for meat. In these horses anthelmintics had not been used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Roundworms were collected post-mortem from small intestines of 83 horses. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of roundworm infection was 12% and intensity--46.7 specimens per horse. Infection was found only in foals; 10 animals were infected (45.4%) among the 22 examined. Due to common occurrence of roundworms (Parascaris equorum) in foals this nematode control should focus particularly on regular anthelmintic treatment of young horses, providing proper hygienic conditions for them and checking the infection level by coproscopical methods.