FREIRE, Paulo Cássio Albuquerque.
Abstract:
The equines were the first animals to be tamed by man and since then are used in several
activities such as transportation, sports, leisure, among others. Among the uses of these
animals, highlighting the vaquejada, that is a cultural demonstration quite widespread in the
Brazilian Northeast. Gastrointestinal parasites are quite harmful to equines, causing damage to
health and decrease in the performance of these animals, and the main factor that predisposes
these parasitic infestations is the way in which the animal is handled. It was aimed to identify
the occurrence of helminths gastrointestinal in equines of vaquejada in the Forest Zone from
Paraíba, which were analyzed by direct test 50 fecal samples for quantitative determination of
eggs per gram (EPG). It has been found that in 40% of the samples has tested positive for the
presence of helminths, where the presence of three distinct genres were detected:
Trichostrongylus spp, Strongyloides spp. and Oxyuris spp. The presence of multiple parasitic
infections involving the genera Trichostrongylus spp. and Strongyloides spp. it was also
noted. There was no significant difference (p≤0,05) between age, gender and race. The results
reveal flaws in the handling of these animals that can compromise health, performance and
welfare of these equines, requiring implementation of measures to minimize to minimize the
problems arising from this activity.
