Control of endoparasites in horses with a gel containing moxidectin and praziquantel.
Authors: Holm-Martin M, Levot G W, Dawson K L
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Moxidectin-Praziquantel Gel for Equine Endoparasite Control This 2005 trial compared two combination anthelmintics against naturally acquired strongyle infections in horses continuously exposed to pasture contamination. A gel formulation delivering moxidectin (20 g/kg) with praziquantel (125 g/kg) maintained faecal egg counts below 100 epg for a minimum of 12 weeks, substantially outperforming a proprietary abamectin/praziquantel paste, which showed progressive egg count increase from week six onwards, reaching 820 epg by week 12. Statistical significance favoured the moxidectin combination from eight weeks post-treatment (P<0.05), and both products eliminated tapeworms entirely. For practitioners managing parasite control programmes, particularly on heavily stocked or mixed grazing systems, the superior and sustained efficacy of the moxidectin-praziquantel formulation offers considerable advantages in reducing pasture contamination pressure and mitigating anthelmintic resistance development through lower reinfection rates.
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Practical Takeaways
- •The moxidectin/praziquantel gel offers superior and longer-lasting parasite control compared to standard abamectin-based products, particularly for strongyle suppression in grazing horses
- •Efficacy advantage of moxidectin becomes statistically significant by 8 weeks, making it a practical choice for horses on continuously contaminated pastures
- •Both products effectively eliminate tapeworms, but moxidectin/praziquantel provides superior nematode control, potentially reducing worming frequency requirements
Key Findings
- •Moxidectin/praziquantel gel maintained faecal strongyle egg counts below 100 epg for at least 12 weeks under continuous pasture reinfection exposure
- •Abamectin/praziquantel paste showed significantly less efficacy, with egg counts increasing to over 820 epg by 12 weeks
- •Moxidectin/praziquantel demonstrated significantly better efficacy than abamectin/praziquantel from 8 weeks post-treatment (P<0.05)
- •Both products achieved complete tapeworm elimination in non-invasive modified critical trials