A study on the seasonal epidemiology of Anoplocephala spp.-infection in horses and the appropriate treatment using a praziquantel gel (Droncit (R) 9% oral gel)

In a study on the seasonal dynamics of the gastro-intestinal nematode egg production in horses, one breeding farm also revealed a particularly high prevalence of Anoplocephola spp. infection. Consequently, this farm was chosen for analysing the seasonal pattern of the tapeworm egg excretion over a one year period in order to establish the most favourable periods for an appropriate and successful cestocidal treatment. The seasonal analysis showed a significantly higher (p < 0,05) Anoplocephala spp. egg excretion between July and October, i.e. during the second part of the grazing period. This result clearly underlines the importance of a cestocidal treatment during that period of the year Subsequently, horses of this farm and of a second farm with a high prevalence of Anoplocephola spp. were used to evaluate the efficacy of praziquantel in a specific oral gel formulation for horses under field conditions. The efficacy of praziquantel was tested in a total of 33 horses from the two farms harbouring a coproscopically detected Anoplocephala spp. infection prior to treatment. Praziquantel (Droncit (R) 9%, oral gel, 1mg/kg bodyweight) was administered to the horses according to their body weight. The efficacy of the drug was evaluated ten days after treatment by a double faecal ana lysis. Thereby, no Anoplocepholo spp. eggs were found. in the faeces of 32 horses (97%). The single horse remaining positive for Anoplocephola spp. eggs did not completely swallow the anthelmintic gel and consequently, did not receive the appropriate dose of the drug.