Project Title: Improving the detection of parasitic infections and control strategies of horses

Parasitology group

Melbourne Veterinary School,

The University of Melbourne.

We are currently working on equine parasites. Horses can get parasitic infections easily from their surrounding environment or pastures. Use of anthelmintics is the most frequently used protocol to get rid of these parasites. But due to recurring infections, these parasites can infect the horses even after deworming and repeated use of the same class of anthelmintic will result into anthelmintic resistance means that drug will be no more effective against the given class of parasites. The outcomes of this project will help to lessen the number of wormings per year letting the fewer chances of drug resistance. Ultimately, this will save the dollars and a single drug will work for a longer time.

This project will investigate some of the knowledge gaps in equine parasitology in Australia and the main aims of the project are:

To determine the epidemiology of important intestinal parasites of Thoroughbred horses in different climatic regions across Australia.
To assess worm control practices used
by horse owners and breeders as well as equine veterinarians.
To determine the status of anthelmintic resistance in intestinal nematodes of Australian horses against commonly used dewormers.
To develop new diagnostic methods for equine intestinal parasites.
Within the next 3 years to be able to provide equine veterinarians and equine professionals a scientific, research-based best practice program for diagnosing and treating parasitic burdens.

How can YOU be the part of this project

There are four ways through which your farm can be part of this project:

i). We shall send a questionnaire regarding the horse parasites control options and farm husbandry managements

ii). Longitudinal Studies*: If your farm participates, you will be sending us the horse faecal samples (20 to 30 samples) monthly.

iii). Cross-sectional Studies*: If you agree more, You need to send us the samples from all horses at your property.

iv). Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT): This test will be conducted at your property to check the drug efficacy you are using for worm control.

*We shall be providing the sample collection gear & sending free faecal egg count results to you after each sampling!