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=== ''Strongyloides westeri'' ===
=== ''Strongyloides westeri'' ===
This is a parasite of the horse and is most commonly seen in young foals, less than six months in age. This is usually the fisrt parasite to which foals are exposed and therfore they have very little immunity to these infections. The predeliction site for these worms is the small intestine.
This is a parasite of the horse and is most commonly seen in young foals, less than six months in age. This is usually the fisrt parasite to which foals are exposed and therfore they have very little immunity to these infections. The predeliction site for these worms is the small intestine.
==== Morphology ====
==== Morphology ====
*<6mm long, similar to small trichostrongyles.
The distinguishing features of this worm are:
*Only female worms parasitic.
*Very small, 6-9mm long
*Slender, hair-like
*Long oesophagus (up to one third of body length).
*Long oesophagus (up to one third of body length).
*Intestines and ovaries intertwined in caudal body
*Blunt ended tail
The eggs are small and oval with a thin shell, they will often hatch in the large intestine so L1 larvae are expelled in the hosts faeces.
==== Life-Cycle ====
==== Life-Cycle ====
*Parasitic and free-living (non-parasitic) phases.
*Parasitic and free-living (non-parasitic) phases.