Strongyliasis in horses in the Easter Bush area of Midlothian

Abstract

A number of horses at three different equine units in the Easter Bush area were monitored using routine helminthological methods between November 1976 and August 1977.

Trichonema spp. were found to be the predominant strongyles in these horses during this period. It is suggested that this predominance was due to the exceptional environmental conditions prevailing in 1976 and the anthelmintic regime adopted during that year.

A seasonal rise in egg output during the late spring and summer and a corresponding increase in pasture larval contamination was also shown.

The effects of Trichonema spp. and in particular those due to the larval stages of these helminths on the haematological values and plasma protein levels was also studied. The results supported the findings of most previous workers and emphasised the importance of the estimation of peripheral eosinophil counts and of ß globulin levels in the diagnosis of prepatent strongyliasis.