Slide 1Current Research TopicsAnthelmintic Resistance in ParasitesAnthelmintic Resistance in ParasitesAnthelmintic Resistance in ParasitesInsulin Resistance & Equine Metabolic SyndromeInsulin Resistance & Equine Metabolic SyndromeEquine Herpes VirusEquine Herpes VirusEnvironmental ImpactEnvironmental ImpactEnvironmental ImpactQuestions? Current Research in Equine ScienceANSC 160Current Research TopicsAnthelmintic ResistanceInsulin Resistance/Equine Metabolic SyndromeEquine HerpesvirusEnvironment Impact of Equine FacilitiesAnthelmintic Resistance in ParasitesAnthelmintic = “dewormer”Demonstrated resistance exists to every class of modern anthelminticoNo new drugs on the horizonContributors to resistanceoUnderdosingoOveruse of drugsoContinued exposure of parasites to low levels•i.e. “daily dewormers”Anthelmintic Resistance in ParasitesTraditional parasite managementoTreat all horses every 6-12 weeksoRotate chemical classes between treatmentsCurrent recommendationsoUse management practices to minimize need for drugsoPerform fecal egg counts to determine need for treatment•FECRT can determine if resistance exists on a specific farmoTreat horses only as often as necessary•For many horses, 2x/yr is sufficientAnthelmintic Resistance in ParasitesRecommended Parasite Control Program – TennesseeMonths of Parasite TransmissionClassification of Horse from FECSeptember November December MarchLow(<200 EPG)Ivermectin (or Moxidectin) + PraziquantalIvermectin (or Moxidectin) + PraziquantalModerate(200-500 EPG)Ivermectin (or Moxidectin) + PraziquantalFenbendazole or Pyrantel (if resistance exists, ivermectin)Ivermectin (or Moxidectin) + PraziquantalHigh(>500 EPG)Ivermectin (or Moxidectin) + PraziquantalFenbendazole or Pyrantel (if resistance exists, ivermectin)Ivermectin (treat in January instead if ivermectin was used in November) Ivermectin (or Moxidectin) + PraziquantalInsulin Resistance & Equine Metabolic SyndromeInsulin Resistance (IR) – similar to “pre-diabetic” conditionEquine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) oObesity or regional adiposity (accumulation of fat in specific areas)oInsulin resistanceoLaminitisGenetic predisposition is likelyo“Easy Keeper” breedsIR/EMS horses do best on carefully managed diets low in NSCoExercise is critical (if horse is sound enough)Insulin Resistance & Equine Metabolic SyndromeEquine Herpes VirusAlso called “rhinopneumonitis”Two strains: EHV-1 and EHV-4Both cause respiratory virusEHV-1 also causes abortion in pregnant maresMutated version of EHV-1 can cause neurological symptomsoIncoordination, loss of muscle control, inability to stand, etc.First symptom is often a high feverEquine Herpes Virus~90% of horses have been exposed by 2 years of ageoSome may become latent carriersHighly contagiousoMost commonly spread by aerosolized particles and nose-to-nose contactoPotentially spread on contaminated hands, clothing, tools, etc.Virus is not very hardyoEasily “killed” by standard disinfectantsVaccinationOverstockingOvergrazingManure managementMud managementEnvironmental ImpactEnvironmental ImpactRotational GrazingHeavy Use Areas or Dry lotsManure Management & CompostingVegetative buffersFencing off streams“Heavy Use” or “Sacrifice” AreasAvoiding diseaseoRemove laminitis prone horses from pasture when sugar highoObese horsesMore horses than available pasture acreageConditions too wet to grazeLanewaysAround water troughsAround gates or heavy traffic areasDrought or slow forage growthEnvironmental