Presence and prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and gastrointestinal helminths in a sample of sporting horses in Uruguay

Abstract

The presence and prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in equines of Uruguay has been studied. In 258 (n) equines sampled the prevalence was 1.16%, for horses younger than three years old the prevalence was 4.91%. For Throughbreds (PSC) the overall prevalence was 2.29%, and the prevalence for the younger of three years old was 5.35%. The egg count gave an average of 5.3 eggs per gram. In the helminth studies 122 (n) animals were studied giving 7.69% prevalence for Ascaris and 74,59% for Strongylidos. Oxiurus, Anoplocephalidae and Strongyloids were not found. The presence of Strongylidos species in 24 (n) equines sampled was: 95.83% for Strongylusedentatus, 88.0% for "Trichonema", 16,66% for Strongylus vulgaris, 58,33% for Trichostrongylus axei and 41,66% Strongilus equinus. The mean distribution of the larvae cultures studied in 24 animals was 41.0% for S. edentatus. 18.11% for Trichonema, 16.66% for S. vulgaris, 17.16% for T. axei and 7.6% for S. equinus. The presence of T. axei in equines of Uruguay is described. In complementary studies for Oxyuris equi 91 equines were sampled being all negative.