Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

[[Anthelmintic Drugs|Anthelmintics]] used prophylactically and to treat acute and chronic worm infections can be categorised into four main groups as shown below.

[[Anthelmintic Drugs|Anthelmintics]] should not be used prophylactically. Blanket treatment with anthelmintics over the last few decades has increased cyathostomin resistance to anthelmintics.

[[Macrocyclic Lactones|'''Ivermectin''']] can effectively control adult and migrating larvae of large strongyles. As a result, colic due to thrombo-emboli caused by ''S.vulgaris'' in the vasculature of the caecum and ventral colon and damage by other large strongyle larval migration are less common in the UK. The threat from helminths has shifted away from large strongyles to small strongyles, the cyathostomins.

[http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/ The Donkey Sanctuary] uses drugs from all four classes of dewormer to treat clinical cases of suspected cyathostomosis. It is imperative that faecal worm egg count reduction tests are performed on at least a proportion of each group treated to ensure efficacy of treatment. Supportive treatment for [[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey|hyperlipaemia]] may also be needed, in the form of prednisolone to suppress an inflammatory response and resulting inappetance.

In any donkey population treated with [[Macrocyclic Lactones|ivermectin]] it is possible to eradicate large strongyles if it is given on a regular basis for long enough and combined with pasture management. Cyathostomins are more difficult and require secondary measures, as do certain other endoparasites, including [[Threadworm - Donkey|''Strongyloides westeri'']], or [[Ascarids - Donkey|''Parascaris equorum'']] in foals, and tapeworms.

Elderly and immuno-compromised animals should be treated with caution, ensuring any supportive treatments necessary are given prophylactically prior to or at the time of deworming. Treatment may need to be delayed in extremely unwell animals and should be given at a time when observation post-treatment is possible.

 

[http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/ The Donkey Sanctuary] recommends a different faecal sampling and treatment programme for pregnant jennies and youngstock. More details are available on request.

[http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/ The Donkey Sanctuary] uses combination of fenbendazole, prednisolone and ivermectin to treat suspected cyathostomosis. Supportive treatment for [[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey#Treatment|hyperlipaemia]] may also be needed.

<big>'''[[Endoparasiticides - Donkey|Anthelmintic drugs used in the donkey]]'''</big>

<big>'''[[Endoparasiticides - Donkey|Anthelmintic drugs used in the donkey]]'''</big>

* Good stable hygiene

* Good stable hygiene

* Rotational grazing, proper pasture management and harrowing pastures is most important

* Rotational grazing, proper pasture management and harrowing pastures is most important

* The use of a ‘biological vacuum’ (sheep³ ) is still pertinent to ingest larvae on the pasture and is used on [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/ the Donkey Sanctuary’s] land both in winter and early spring.

* The use of a ‘biological vacuum’ (sheep³ ) is still pertinent to ingest larvae on the pasture and is used on [http://wwww.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/ the Donkey Sanctuary’s] land both in winter and early spring.

* Removal of dung at least twice a week in the summer is carried out mechanically

* Removal of dung at least twice a week in the summer is carried out mechanically

* If donkeys are at pasture in the winter months then faecal sampling may need to be carried out throughout the year

* If donkeys are at pasture in the winter months then faecal sampling may need to be carried out throughout the year