Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses in Erbil province. North Iraq

The survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in naturally infected horses in different private breeding stabled horses in Erbil province north Iraq from March-September 2012. 92 fecal samples were examined by acid ether technique, flotation concentration and cellophane tape methods. The overall prevalence was 70.6%, and at least 63.08%, 36.92% horses were infected with single and mixed species respectively. Six species of parasites were recorded and the most prevalent one was Strongylus vulgaris 29.35% following Parascaris equorum 19.56% and other Oxyuris equi 8.7%, Strongyloides westeri 5.43%, one species of cestoda Anoplocepha spp 4.35% and one species Eimeria leukarti 3.26%. There was no significant difference in infected rate between sexes. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in younger age less than 5 years 84% than age more than 5 years 61.1%. The clinical signs of infected horses with S.vulgaris and P. equorum revealed emaciation, rough coat, dehydration, anemia, perianal scratching, colic like pain.