The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) released updated equine parasite control guidelines earlier this month, providing unified strategies for veterinarians and horse owners in diagnosing and controlling equine parasites.
Targeted parasite control for horses
The AAEP has released updated equine parasite control information supporting individualized deworming using targeted treatments at appropriate dosage levels.
© 2016 by Adam Borkowski
The guidelines, first released in 2013, continue to support an individualized deworming approach for horses using targeted treatments at appropriate dosage levels.
“Parasite resistance to equine dewormer active ingredients is a real threat to horse health,” said Kenton Morgan, DVM, senior veterinarian, equine technical services with Zoetis. “The updated AAEP deworming guidelines expand upon the research in resistance and outline the need for horse owners to work closely with their veterinarians for parasite control.”
The AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines1 identify key parasites of concern along with diagnosis and treatment standards for both adult horses and young horses less than three years of age. Notable information and updates within the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines include:
- Small strongyles remain the key parasite of concern in adult horses, and the guidelines recommend treating against the encysted stage of the parasite at least once per year. Ascarids (roundworms) are the crucial parasite affecting young horses.
- All treatment or nontreatment recommendations are outlined based on a preventive program where fecal egg count (FEC) testing is being performed.
- Horses should not receive a deworming treatment in the 8 weeks prior to a fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) to evaluate the development of parasite resistance.
- Two recent studies were highlighted in the updated guidelines that document reduced larvicidal efficacy of the five-day double-dose fenbendazole regimen (marketed as Panacur® Powerpac).
- The guidelines caution that reduced product efficacy can be caused by factors other than resistance such as incorrect dosage, incorrect storage and expired product.
- New information was added to Cyathostomin Egg Reappearance Periods (ERP) for Equine Anthelmintics (Table 3) titled “ERPs on farms with emerging resistance.”
- All active ingredients saw a decrease in duration; however, moxidectin, the active ingredient exclusive to Quest® Gel and Quest® Plus Gel, remain the longest duration for suppressing small strongyle egg reappearance.
In addition to the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines update, in December 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked livestock and equine parasiticide manufacturers to voluntarily revise parasite product labels to include information about antiparasitic resistance. The FDA labeling update request emphasizes key messages which align with an individualized deworming approach supported by Zoetis:
- Proper dosing is critical to safe and effective dewormer use.
- Horse owners should work with their veterinarian to monitor herds to determine the extent of antiparasitic resistance on their farm.
- Dewormers should be used as only one part of an overall internal parasite control program.
“The comprehensive line of equine parasiticide products from Zoetis play an important role in helping protect horse health,” Dr. Morgan said. “We support the AAEP guidelines as well as the FDA request and are continuing to work with our customers to provide information and tools to help ensure proper product use and to help preserve their efficacy for decades to come.”
Zoetis provides a comprehensive portfolio of equine parasite control solutions to meet the needs of every horse, including Quest and Quest Plus, the only FDA-approved dewormers that treat and control encysted small strongyles, bots and roundworms in a single dose. Devoted to the health of every horse, Zoetis is proud to be an Official Equine Health Care Partner of the American Quarter Horse Association featuring the trusted portfolio of equine vaccines and dewormers.
To learn more about equine parasite control, talk to your veterinarian or visit QuestHorse.com.
Consult your veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of parasitism.
Do not use Quest Gel or Quest Plus Gel in foals less than 6 months of age or in sick, debilitated and underweight horses. Do not use in other animal species, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.
About Zoetis
Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 65 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines, medicines and diagnostics, which are complemented by genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2018, the company generated annual revenue of $5.8 billion with approximately 10,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetisus.com.
1American Association of Equine Practitioners Parasite Control Guidelines, Revised 2019. https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/InternalParasiteGuidelinesFinal5.23.19.pdf. Accessed June 12, 2019.
Press release provided by Zoetis