Helminthological status of sports and breeding horses exported outside the Russian Federation

Abstract

Every year a large number of animals are transported across the territory of the Russian Federation. In 2022, the movement of 156,229 heads of horses was recorded. To minimize the risks of spreading infections and invasions, strict veterinary requirements have been developed, including mandatory deworming during quarantine before shipment. The animals must arrive at their destination free of parasitic diseases. The study aimed to find out the possible risks of the spread of helminthiasis of horses with newly imported animals. Horses in transit through the city were examined. Blagoveshchensk from the farms of Central Russia to the country of East Asia. Feces were examined by flotation and larvoscopy methods, followed by determination of the systematic position of parasites. Helminthic invasion was detected in 64.3% of the examined animals with varying intensity. Both widespread helminthiasis of horses (trichonematosis, paraskaridosis) and dangerous diseases that are not registered in horses of equestrian clubs of Blagoveshchensk (alfortiosis, strongylosis, delafondiosis, anoplocephalidosis) have been identified. Taking into account the time of transportation, the duration of action of anthelmintic drugs in the body of horses and the timing of the preimaginal development of various types of helminths, the identification of these diseases indicates poor-quality deworming before transportation from the point of departure. When organizing the movement of horses, more careful control over the organization of the transportation process and compliance with regulatory requirements is needed to ensure the epizootic safety of animals, reduce the risks of spreading infections and invasions in safe territories.