Ocorrência de helmintos gastrintestinais em equinos de vaquejada na Zona da Mata da Paraíba.

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.