The effects of parasitic nematode infection on body condition of New Forest ponies
The effects of parasitic nematode infection on body condition of New Forest ponies
The epidemiological cycle of parasitic nematode infection in the New Forest and its ponies is described, and its influence on the annual cycle of body condition of the ponies examined. Monthly external assessments of the body condition of 4 populations of ponies resident in vegetationally different sites were made from April 1988 to December 1990. Condition was found to vary significantly within populations based on differences in age, sex and reproductive status. Significant individual variation was found within age, and reproductive status classes. Significant variations based on anthelmintic treatment, winter management and selection of latrine/non-latrine grazing were also found. Internal assessments of body condition were made by Kidney Fat Index for 26 corpses examined between July 1989 and December 1990. Monthly faecal samples were collected from April 1988 to December 1990 and faecal egg counts were determined. Significant variation in faecal egg counts were found based on host age, reproductive status, anthelmintic treatment and selection of latrine/non-latrine grazing. Larval cultures were raised for species identification from samples collected between April 1988 and March 1989. Monthly herbage samples were collected from 3 types of grazing within each of the 4 study sites from February 1989 to December 1990 to determine pasture levels of infection. Infection levels were found to vary significantly over time, between sites, and with the use that the host population made of the grazing. Observations were also made of the behavioural selection of latrine/non-latrine grazing by ponies. This selection was found to vary significantly over time and between sample and study sites. The diet of one population of ponies was examined by identification of plant fragments remaining in the faeces between July 1989 and June 1990. Twenty six carcases were examined between July 1989 and December 1990 for the presence of parasites in thegastro-intestinal tract, and for damage caused by migratory larvae at other sites within the body. Faecal egg counts and larval cultures were raised for comparison with total adult burdens. The level of larval cyathostomiasis was also assessed. Liver samples were taken for liver fat and glycogen determination as possible indicators of condition. Twenty nine blood samples collected at drifts in 1988 were assayed for variations in a range of parameters implicated in parasitic infections. Suggestions for the future management of the ponies and their environment that will limit the opportunities for parasite transmission, and therefore reduce the parasitic threat to the health of the ponies are discussed.
University of Southampton
1992
Burton, Deborah
(1992)
The effects of parasitic nematode infection on body condition of New Forest ponies.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The epidemiological cycle of parasitic nematode infection in the New Forest and its ponies is described, and its influence on the annual cycle of body condition of the ponies examined. Monthly external assessments of the body condition of 4 populations of ponies resident in vegetationally different sites were made from April 1988 to December 1990. Condition was found to vary significantly within populations based on differences in age, sex and reproductive status. Significant individual variation was found within age, and reproductive status classes. Significant variations based on anthelmintic treatment, winter management and selection of latrine/non-latrine grazing were also found. Internal assessments of body condition were made by Kidney Fat Index for 26 corpses examined between July 1989 and December 1990. Monthly faecal samples were collected from April 1988 to December 1990 and faecal egg counts were determined. Significant variation in faecal egg counts were found based on host age, reproductive status, anthelmintic treatment and selection of latrine/non-latrine grazing. Larval cultures were raised for species identification from samples collected between April 1988 and March 1989. Monthly herbage samples were collected from 3 types of grazing within each of the 4 study sites from February 1989 to December 1990 to determine pasture levels of infection. Infection levels were found to vary significantly over time, between sites, and with the use that the host population made of the grazing. Observations were also made of the behavioural selection of latrine/non-latrine grazing by ponies. This selection was found to vary significantly over time and between sample and study sites. The diet of one population of ponies was examined by identification of plant fragments remaining in the faeces between July 1989 and June 1990. Twenty six carcases were examined between July 1989 and December 1990 for the presence of parasites in thegastro-intestinal tract, and for damage caused by migratory larvae at other sites within the body. Faecal egg counts and larval cultures were raised for comparison with total adult burdens. The level of larval cyathostomiasis was also assessed. Liver samples were taken for liver fat and glycogen determination as possible indicators of condition. Twenty nine blood samples collected at drifts in 1988 were assayed for variations in a range of parameters implicated in parasitic infections. Suggestions for the future management of the ponies and their environment that will limit the opportunities for parasite transmission, and therefore reduce the parasitic threat to the health of the ponies are discussed.
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Published date: 1992
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Local EPrints ID: 461285
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/461285
PURE UUID: a37df67f-320f-4f25-bae5-15c375df4f12
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:42
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 18:42
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Author:
Deborah Burton
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