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Internal Parasites in Horses

Internal Parasites in Horses. Created by: Tracey Hoffman Topic #3080. Parasite. Organism that lives off another organism at the expense of the host. Major Equine Parasites. Strongyles Roundworms Bots Pinworms. Strongyles. Includes both large and small strongyles Most common

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Internal Parasites in Horses

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  1. Internal Parasites in Horses Created by: Tracey HoffmanTopic #3080

  2. Parasite • Organism that lives off another organism at the expense of the host

  3. Major Equine Parasites • Strongyles • Roundworms • Bots • Pinworms

  4. Strongyles • Includes both large and small strongyles • Most common • Commonly referred to as bloodworms • Because of color after it ingests blood from host animal

  5. Life Cycle • Larvae develop to infective stage within one week • Larvae crawl up blades of grass and are ingested by the horse • Once ingested, larvae travel through the digestive system to the large intestine • S. vulgaris migrate to the anterior mesenteric artery

  6. Life Cycle • S. endentatus to the liver and flank area • S. equinus migrate to the liver and pancreas • Adult large strongyles live in the cecum and large intestine • Eggs are laid in the cecum and large intestine and passed through the feces • Superior mesenteric artery

  7. Adult Strongyle Damage • These worms are aggressive feeders • After feeding, move to a fresh site leaving a bleeding crater • Craters ulcerate and heals, leaving scar

  8. Large Strongyles in Mesenteric Artery • Large strongyles can live in mesenteric artery, which supplies blood to the intestine • Inflame artery wall • Create blood clots that interfere with oxygen and nutrients to/from the intestine • Leads to severe and often fatal colic

  9. Small Strongyles • Also called cyathostomes • Cause under-performance • Loss of condition • Feed inefficiency • Predisposition to secondary diseases • Are extremely prolific • Emerge from lining of intestines and leave an ulcerated gut wall

  10. Roundworm Life Cycle • Host foal ingests infected eggs from contaminated environment and/or feed. Eggs pass through oral cavity to the stomach and into the small intestine. (Solid Arrows) • Eggs hatch in intestine and migrate through the liver to the lungs via the circulatory system. Larvae then travel to the pharynx and are swallowed (tracheal migration shown by the interrupted arrows). Larvae mature to adult state in the small intestine

  11. Roundworm Life Cycle • Adult roundworms in small intestine • Eggs are laid in the small intestine • Eggs are excreted in feces • Larvae develop to infective 2nd state eggs within two weeks • Emaciated infected foal • Adult roundworms clustered in ruptured small intestine

  12. Roundworms • Adult roundworms are visible to the eye • Roundworm larvae migration through the lungs and liver is most dangerous • Often causes foal pneumonia – potentially fatal

  13. Large Roundworms • Most common in young horses • Intestinal infections may show no clinical signs • Can decrease gut motility • Intestinal impactions from clustered roundworms may cause rupture to the intestine and produce peritonitis

  14. Bot life Cycle • Pupae form in loose soil • Adult bot fly emerges from pupa in 3-10 weeks. Female posterior is long and pointed to deposit eggs. • Common bot fly (G. intestinalis) lays eggs on leg hairs. Eggs must be licked to hatch larvae. After ingestion, larvae tunnel in epithelium of tongue and form pockets between upper molars. One month later, larvae migrate to stomach or duodenum

  15. Bot life Cycle • Throat bot fly (G. nasalis) lays eggs on hairs around side and back of mouth. Eggs are ingested with food and water. • Nose bot fly (G. hemorroidalis) lays eggs around nose and mouth. Eggs ingested with food and water. • Larvae of bot fly cluster on linings of stomach and proximal duodenum

  16. Bot life Cycle • Larvae passed in feces • Common bot fly larva • Throat bot fly larva

  17. Bots • Eggs are yellow in color • Eggs are difficult to remove • Each female bot fly may lay as many as 1,000 eggs • Removal of eggs on hair coat when present is essential • Use lvermectin or Mexidectin 1 month after first frost and in spring to eliminat larvae in stomach

  18. Pinworm Life Cycle • Sticky eggs will adhere to walls, fences, bedding, and will be found in water or feed • Larvae develop into infective stage within the eggs • Infective larvae are ingested by the host. Larvae travel through digestive system to the cecum and large intestine where they mature in four or five months.

  19. Pinworm Life Cycle • Adult pinworms reside in the lumen of the cecum and large intestine • Adult female crawls to the skin around the anal area to deposit eggs in clusters

  20. Pinworms • Major sign is horse rubbing his tail or rear quarters on any available surface • Caused by females depositing eggs • Eggs are pale yellow to cream colored • Contain fluid • Need a microscope or hand lens to view them • Cleanliness is essential prevention

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