Internal Parasites of the Horse
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Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Volume 5 Number 4 July-August, 1956 Article 3 1-7-1956 Internal parasites of the horse J. Shilkin Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3 Recommended Citation Shilkin, J. (1956) "Internal parasites of the horse," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 5 : No. 4 , Article 3. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol5/iss4/3 This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INTERNAL PARASITES OF THE By J. SHILKIN, B.V. Sc, Senior Veterinary Surgeon WfHILE actual losses from internal parasites are not of common occurrence in TT horses, much unthriftiness, debility and colic can be attributed to their presence in the intestines, particularly in young animals. Infection occurs through the horse ing for long periods on the grass, although swallowing the eggs or larvae which are the majority will die in about three present in the soil, water or grass. The months. When the pasture is wet with dew different species then progress through or rain they are able to climb up the blades their various life cycles ending with of grass and are swallowed by the horse female worms laying eggs which are as it grazes. eventually passed out in the dung. Once inside the animals the course fol Although there are a large number of lowed depends upon the species. In the different species of worms which inhabit case of Strongylus spp. the larvae ap the intestine of the horse, only those few parently move through the body in various species which are considered of import directions and have been found in the ance in Western Australia will be dealt lungs, liver, spleen, pancreas, lymph with here. glands and various blood vessels. Their later course is unknown, but they eventu REDWORMS ally return to the large bowel where they (Strongylus and Trichonema spp.) develop to maturity and eventually lay Two different types of redworms are eggs, so continuing the life cycle. The commonly found in horses. The large red- development of the young worms in the worms (Strongylus spp.) vary in length horse may extend over a long period and from one to two inches and attach them it may be almost 12 months from the time selves to the gut wall by means of their the worm larvae were swallowed with mouths. The small redworms (Trichonema grass before the worms are mature and 'PP.) are about half an inch in length and laying eggs. He free in the intestine. In the case of Trichonema spp. the Both types are usually reddish in colour larvae burrow into the wall of the large and inhabit the large bowel and caecum bowel, and remain there for some time, (blind gut). before returning to the bowel and develop-' The life history of all these species is ing to the adult stage. not completely known, but the eggs passed Symptoms. in the droppings will hatch in about 24 The condition induced by these worms hours provided conditions are suitable. is perhaps the most common and most The larvae then undergo development and serious parasitic disease affecting horses. are ready to infest the horse in about a The adults of Strongylus spp. feed on the week. At this stage, due to an enveloping intestinal wall and, as they are blood sheath, the larvae are capable of surviv sucking parasites, anaemia is a common Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956 INFECTIVE STAGE GRAVIS ve G*ASJ I SWALLOWED 6V flout VOUNG WORM DEVELOPS ' " iNPcrnvE 5TAGC. VOUNG WO*M DEVELOPS IN EGG Fig. 1.—Diagram showing life-cycles of principal parasites. symptom of the disease. The mucuous ened and obstruct the flow of blood. It is membranes of the eyes and gums become believed that this obstruction may give pale and the animal becomes very weak. rise to intermittent attacks of colic, but In some cases, dropsical swellings may be it should also be realised that such ob seen along the abdomen. Injury to the structions are frequently discovered in wall of the intestine may pave the way for post mortem examinations of animals bacterial infection. which have not suffered from colic at all The larvae of the small species may Heavily infested horses do not perform cause the formation of nodules in the in well and many cases of thoroughbreds and testinal wall. These may give rise to diges trotters which fail to race according to tive disturbances, resulting in soft and expectation have shown remarkable im foul-smelling droppings, diarrhoea, and provement after treatment for worm poor appetite. In advanced cases, the ap parasites. petite may be depraved, causing the animals to eat bark, earth and rubbish. LARGE ROUNDWORMS Outwardly the coat is rough, loss of condi (Ascaris equorum.) tion is evident and the appearance gen These are large yellowish-white worms erally dull and dejected. up to 12 inches long usually found in the One species invades the walls of certain first half of the small intestine. arteries, particularly those supplying the Eggs are passed out in the dung as with large bowel and as a result of the invasion, other species and under favourable con the walls of the arteries becomes thick ditions a larval worm is developed within 394 Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956 RINGLOCK FENCING [done RF185/24/S4 The safest fence for every class of stock LONGER LASTING. "Cyclone" Ringlock Fencing ot highest tensile quality galvanised wire is practically ever lasting. The "Ringlock" joint binds hard-steel upright and horizontal wires immovably together; giving immense strength. FIRE RESISTANT. 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Many of the larvae are then swallowed by the horse. Upon reaching the stomach they then develop to the adult stage. Symptoms. Whilst Habronema infesta tion is very common in this country, it is not considered Fig. 2.—Redworms (Strongylus spp.) (natural size) of any great economic im portance. The smallest the egg in about 14 days. After being species is possibly the most serious as swallowed, the egg hatches in the in it burrows into the stomach wall, causing testine, the larva bores into the intestinal the formation of fibrous nodules and wall, reaches the blood vessels and is possibly causing digestive disturbances. carried to the liver. It eventually reaches There is also an external form of Habro the lungs via the blood stream again, and nema infestation which may cause trouble after a period of development, migrates when infested flies feed on sores or other into the windpipe, crawls into the mouth, is swallowed, reaches the small intestine again and develops to the adult stage. Symptoms. These parasites are most serious in young animals, causing digestive troubles, enteritis, intermittent diarrhoea, colic, etc. In very heavy infestations portions of the bowel may be almost completely blocked, leading to rupture of the bowel wall. Damage to the lung tissue resulting from the presence of the larvae may lead to pneumonia. LARGE STOMACH WORMS (Habronema spp.) There are three species of these worms, varying in size from half to one inch in length. Fig. 3.—Redworms (Trlchonemldae) (natural size). 397 Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956 r Fig. 4.—The Large Roundworm (Ascaris equorum) (natural size). moist places, such as the sheath, penis, up to six inches in length including the or mucous membranes of the eye, etc. The long narrow tail. They.occur in the large larvae may be set free, and commence to bowel. burrow. Growths produced by the burrow The mature female worm deposits her ing are difficult to heal and such growths eggs in clusters round the anus of the on the eye, penis and sheath, particularly, horse, but occasionally is passed out of the are probably quite often confused with animal and lays the eggs in the droppings.