Anthelmintic control of lungworm in donkeys

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Equine Health

Background:

• Lungworm infections caused by Dictyocaulus arnfieldi are common in donkeys.
• Anthelmintic treatment is crucial for managing parasitic infections in livestock.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the re-establishment of patent lungworm infections in donkeys after effective anthelmintic treatment.
• To assess the efficacy of mebendazole against Dictyocaulus arnfieldi in a field setting.

Main Methods:

• A field study involving 259 donkeys classified by fecal larval output.
• A control group (126 donkeys) and a treated group (133 donkeys) receiving mebendazole.
• Fecal sample analysis before and after treatment, and during the summer months.

Main Results:

• The control group showed a significant increase in lungworm excretors and larval output from April to October.
• Mebendazole treatment reduced excretors from 66% to 23% one month post-treatment.
• By October, only 15% of initially cleared donkeys in the treated group had re-established patent infections.

Conclusions:

• Mebendazole is effective in clearing Dictyocaulus arnfieldi infections in donkeys.
• Donkeys are susceptible to reinfection with lungworm following treatment, especially when exposed to infected pastures.
• Further strategies may be needed to prevent reinfection in treated donkey populations.