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Necropsy-based Wild Fish Health Assessment
Published on: September 11, 2018
Onchocerca spp: frequency in Thoroughbreds at necropsy in Kentucky
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|April 1, 1986
Summary
Onchocerca spp. were found in 59% of Thoroughbred horses examined post-mortem. Parasite prevalence increased with age, reaching 87% in horses aged 6-29 years.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Equine Pathology
Background:
- Onchocerca spp. are filarial nematodes that can affect horses.
- The ligamentum nuchae is a common site for Onchocerca spp. in equids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Onchocerca spp. in the ligamentum nuchae of Thoroughbred horses.
- To assess the relationship between age and Onchocerca spp. infection in Thoroughbreds.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy examination of the ligamentum nuchae from 523 Thoroughbred horses (1-29 years old) in Kentucky.
- Examination of suspensory ligaments and flexor tendons from fetlocks of 100 Thoroughbred horses (3-24 years old).
Main Results:
- Onchocerca spp. were identified in 306 (59%) of the 523 horses examined.
- Prevalence increased with age, from 3% in 1-year-olds to 42% in 5-year-olds, and 87% in horses aged 6-29 years.
- No Onchocerca spp. were found in the suspensory ligaments or flexor tendons of the fetlocks.
Conclusions:
- The ligamentum nuchae is a significant reservoir for Onchocerca spp. in older Thoroughbred horses.
- Age is a major risk factor for Onchocerca spp. infection in the nuchal ligament.
- The suspensory apparatus of the fetlock is not a typical site for this parasite.
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