Parasitic problem has been a major mounting problem of equids which severely creates the
hindrance in performance in equine which leads to weakness, emaciation, colic, diarrhea, anemia,
thriftiness, loss of energy and ultimately death. Looking at the importance of equine and its
utilization by poor farmers there is need to cure the malady.
GIT Nematodes are prevalent in Equines in district Jhang. Novel combination of
Abamactin + Praziquantel was very efficacious to subside parasitic load in Equines. GIT
Nematodes have some effects on blood parameters (TEC, HB, and PCV).
A total 200 (100 horses and 100 donkeys) from different areas of district Jhang were
included in the study. For this, fresh fecal sample were carefully collected into a sealed container
from each horse and donkey and were transferred to Medicine lab, UVAS, Lahore in containers
with ice packs. Each samples were examined for nematodes eggs and for larvae by using different
techniques i.e. Direct Smear Method and fecal culture technique while the eggs count was
performed by McMaster technique. To study the effect of Gastrointestinal nematodes on various
blood parameters of equine, blood samples were collected from selected animals and were
analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocytes count (TEC) and packed cell volume (PCV) by
using Hematology Analyzer. For therapeutic trails, a total of 12 horses and 12 donkeys positive
for nematodes were taken and divided into groups A, B and C comprising of 8 animals each. Group
C was comprised of 8 animals as Positive control and fourth group D was comprised of 8 animals
as negative control. Group A was treated with abamactin + praziquantel (EQUITAK) orally @
1ml/20kg bodyweight PO once at 0 day and group B was treated with herbal ingredients
Summary
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(EVERZAN) @ 1ml/20kg bodyweight PO once at 0 day. Efficacy was determined on the basis of
reduction of eggs in feces at day 0, 7th and 21th day (post-treatment). Data was recorded in a
questionnaire regarding age, sex, breed, nutritional status and disease condition.
The present study was designed to check the comparative efficacy of two different drugs
such as Equitak (Allopathic) and Everzan (herbal) against gastrointestinal nematodes and its
effects on blood parameters in both horses and donkeys. According to therapeutic trial, Equitak
presented very good response against GIT nematodes by fast decreasing EPG in both experimental
animals and showed its efficacy more than 80% but Everzan showed poor response against
nematodes in both experimental animals and its efficacy less than 30%. By administering Equitak
in both experimental animals gave good results regarding blood parameters such as total
erythrocytes count (TEC), packed cell volume (PCV) and Hemoglobin (Hb) and its values had
been continuously increasing in 7th and 21st day since administration. But in contrast to Equitak,
Everzan showed poor response regarding blood parameters and values did not increased at 7th and
21st days. It has been proved that Equitak has its very strong effect against strongylus spp than
other parasites that come under the category of roundworms. So Equitak proved more effective
against nematodes in Equines than Everzan.