Background: There is a lack of consensus on how best to balance our need to minimise the risk of parasite-associated disease in the individual horse, with the need to limit the use of anthelmintics in the population to preserve their efficacy through delaying further development of resistance.
Objectives: To develop evidence-based guidelines utilising a modified GRADE framework.
Methods: A panel of veterinary scientists with relevant expertise and experience was convened. Relevant research questions were identified and developed with associated search terms being defined. Evidence in the veterinary literature was evaluated using the GRADE evidence-to-decision framework. Literature searches were performed utilising CAB abstracts and PubMed. Where there was insufficient evidence to answer the research question the panel developed practical guidance based on their collective knowledge and experience.
Results: Search results are presented, and recommendation or practical guidance were made in response to 37 clinically relevant questions relating to the use of anthelmintics in horses.
Main limitations: There was insufficient evidence to answer many of the questions with any degree of certainty and practical guidance frequently had to be based upon extrapolation of relevant information and the panel members' collective experience and opinions.
Conclusions: Equine parasite control practices and current recommendations have a weak evidence base. These guidelines highlight changes in equine parasite control that should be considered to reduce the threat of parasite-associated disease and delay the development of further anthelmintic resistance.
Keywords: anthelmintic; ascarid; cyathostomin; ecotoxicity; fluke; horse; lungworm; oxyuris; pinworm; resistance; strongyle; tapeworm.
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