EQUINE | Abstracts
Abstracts
K.L. Lightbody, J.B. Matthews, J.G. Kemp-Symonds,
P.A. Lambert and C.J. Austin http://onlinelibrary.wi-
ley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.12742/full
Use of a Saliva-Based Diagnostic Test to Iden-
tify Tapeworm Infection in Horses in the UK
Short title: Saliva Test for Tapeworm
This retrospective longitudinal study evaluated a sali-
va-based test for tapeworm (Anoplocephala perfoliata)
and the impact of the test on subsequent anthelmin-
tic use. The study included 1000 saliva samples from
horses at a UK welfare charity from autumn 2015 to
autumn 2016. Samples were predominantly collected
in autumn and spring using a commercial test (Equi-
Sal®) that measures tapeworm-specific antibody levels
in saliva samples to give a score of low, borderline,
moderate or high. Horses with a score of borderline
or above are considered to require anthelmintic treat-
ment.
representing an 86% reduction in administration com-
pared to blanket biannual use. Despite this, the preva-
lence of tapeworm infestation did not increase over
the study period.
Bottom line: Biannual use of the saliva test may be
an effective method of monitoring for tapeworm infes-
tation and directing treatment to affected individuals,
reducing selection pressure for resistance.
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D.G. Suarez-Fuentes, S.S. Caston, D.M. Tatarnuik,
K.D. Kersh and N.R. Ferrero http://onlinelibrary.wi-
ley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.12733/full
Outcome of Horses Undergoing Navicular
Bursotomy for the Treatment of Contami-
nated or Septic Navicular Bursitis: 19 Cases
(2002–2016)
Short title: Navicular Bursotomy Outcomes
During the study period, 71% of horses remained be-
low treatment threshold at all three time points and
did not receive any tapeworm treatment, the remain-
ing 29% received praziquantel on at least one occa-
sion. Only 3% were above treatment threshold in all
three tests. Younger horses required more treatments:
55% of 1- to 5-year-olds on at least one occasion
and 26% on more than one occasion. Notably, 41%
of new arrivals to the herd had antibody levels above
treatment threshold, highlighting the importance of
testing horses introduced to a herd. During the study
period, 99 doses of praziquantel were administered,
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