Internal parasites (Nematode) infestation in pure Arabian horses: Field Study

Abstract

Background: Haematological and biochemical values are widely used in veterinary clinics for disease prognosis, nutritional and therapeutic monitoring, as well as in understanding of the disease process in farm animals including equines. Aim: This study aims to assess the alterations in haematological and biochemical parameters in pure Arabian horses infested with internal parasites. Methods: Samples of feces and blood were collected from 20 adult mares. Fecal samples were proceeded by flotation test. The blood samples were analyzed for haematological and biochemical parameters to determine their means ± standard error (M ± SE). We compared the M ± SE with the reference values cited. Results: Infestation percentage was as (%) parascaris equorum 3 (15%) and 17 (85%) mixed infestation, strongylus species with parascaris equorum. The haematology of our Arabian horses shows little variation of values compared to normal reference values, in haemoglobin level (Hb g/dl), packed cell volume (pcv %), red blood cell (RBCs) count (106/μl) and white blood cells (WBCs) count (103/μl), mean corpuscular volume (MCV fl), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH pg) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC g/dl). In addition, their serum biochemistry showed blood glucose (mg/dl), urea (mg/dl), creatinine (mg/dl), albumin(g/dl), sodium, potassium and chloride (mEq/L) within normal reference values. Conclusion: Our study did not show variation in haematology or chemical values compared to the normal values. We attributed as result of the quantity and quality of nutrition given to the horses which compensate the damage caused by these parasites so this study may provide useful diagnostic indices for the Arabian horses. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(4.000): 481-484]

Keywords

• hematological
• biochemical
• parameters
• infestation
• parascaris equorum