Abstract

GALICIA-VELAZQUEZ, Guadalupe; VILLARREAL-NIETO, Arturo; GUERRERO-MOLINA, Cristina  and  MARTINEZ-ORTIZ-DE-MONTELLANO, Cintli. Ivermectin effectiveness for gastrointestinal nematode control in donkeys (Equus asinus) in the Mexican High Plateau. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.2, pp.326-341.  Epub Oct 23, 2020. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v11i2.5100.

The donkey has been used as a working animal for centuries, and 96 % of the world population of this species is in developing countries. Gastrointestinal nematodes with anthelmintic resistance (AHR) are the most serious parasitic problem in equidae. This study analyzes the phenomenon of AHR to ivermectin (IVM) in donkeys, and economic thresholds, with an evaluation of the practices by the owners through surveys, are considered. Based on 53 donkeys from the Mexican High Plateau, the experiment was divided into two stages: 1) economic thresholds were determined for 53 animals, and the experimental groups were formed. 2) the IVM efficacy test was performed, and two experimental groups (n= 30) were established: the treated group and the control group, without treatment. The economic threshold of eggs per gram of feces was 600, and the threshold of body condition (BC) of 91 % of the animals was acceptable (2.5 to 3.5). At a higher BC, the egg discharge obtained was lower (P<0.05). Of the 100 larvae identified, 63 % were cyathostomidae, and the rest were large strongyles. In this nematode population, IVM efficacy was 100 %. Eighty, 80% of the surveyed owners admit that they use as the only strategy the treatment provided by volunteer Veterinarians, which consists of 1% IVM. This antiparasitic is still a valuable resource and must be used properly in order to prevent AHR. This is the first step toward targeted selective deworming in equidae in Mexico.

Keywords : Donkeys; Equus asinus; Cyathostomidae; Nematodes; Ivermectin; Anthelmintic resistance.