Parascariasis

a helminthiasis of equids. The causative agent is the nematode Parascaris equorum, which infests the small intestine or, less commonly, the stomach. The parasite’s body is 15 to 28 cm long, whitish, and narrow at both ends. Animals become infested by swallowing the eggs of the helminths with food and water. Larvae hatch from the eggs and after a complex migration through the animal’s blood and lymph vessels, liver, heart, lungs, and respiratory tract reach their permanent site. Adult parasites poison the organism and cause nervous disorders, catarrh, and sometimes obstruction or perforation of the intestine and stomach or peritonitis. The infected animal becomes emaciated and loses its capacity to work.

Salts of piperazine are used to treat the disease. Preventive measures include change of pastures, deworming, and periodic cleansing of animal stock, stables, and grooming implements.