Introduction
This Anipedia-hosted chapter is an extract from a comprehensive textbook compiled by expert parasitologists at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria. The equine chapter was written by Dr Volker Schwann who has experience of veterinary helminthology in Europe and South Africa. Horses are expensive and valuable animals, and still have an economic role to play in countries such as South Africa, where they are used as working animals in various sectors of society. Maintaining the good health of equines is therefore an important service which equine and general veterinary practitioners provide to the community, as well as to equine welfare.
Who Should Enrol
Veterinary, para-veterinary and allied animal and human health professionals and students.
Course Design
Online CPD activity
Course Content
Course Highlights
The online information for the CPD course on this species account provides an overview of the subject about the most important helminths of equines. The chapter is organised according to the main groups of helminths, viz. nematodes, cestodes and flukes. Under these categories, each important species is discussed including a general description, the appearance of the worm, the hosts, distribution and mode of transmission for each species. In addition, the socioeconomic importance, pathogenesis and pathology, clinical signs, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and control are discussed, again for each species where applicable.
This section includes full colour photos of the helminths in situ or the pathology caused by the parasites. Practical and comprehensive advice, which is demanded from consulting veterinarians, is given on control of each group of helminths, with discussion on methods for reducing the use of anthelmintics in those groups where anthelmintic resistance is most commonly seen. This is particularly important in the small strongyles or cyaothostomins.
The learner will be able to study and complete the course materials and online tests at his/her own pace.
Learning Outcomes
The questions for this chapter were drawn up by Dr Rosemary Gerber an equine practitioner and lecturer with wide experience of equine medicine both in Europe and South Africa. Dr Gerber has selected questions of practical value to equine veterinarians, so that an overall perspective of the subject is effortlessly achieved. By varying the answers provided to include aspects of the issues below students are forced to focus on this without really being aware of the process.
The questions aim to do this by testing knowledge on:
- Pathogenicity and impact of parasites, which reflects the importance of the parasite.
- Location of parasites in body system.
- Lifecycle stages of helminths.
- Some aspects of transmission and classification.
- The ability to translate descriptions of equine helminth eggs to the microscopic appearance.
- Helminth control focused on achieving the best outcome especially in the case of resistance prone strongyles.
Assessment
This course has a multiple-choice test.
Accreditation
South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
6 CPD Points
AC/0190/20
Certification
In order to qualify for CPD points, the learner will be required to complete the course and pass the multiple-choice test with 80%.
COURSE
R 585.00 (incl VAT)
This Anipedia-hosted chapter is an extract from a comprehensive textbook compiled by expert parasitologists at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria.
