Powerpac approval delivers jolt to encysted small strongyle larvae
Warren, N.J.-Hoechst Roussel Vet introduces Panacur® Powerpac (fenbendazole), a
preventive regimen for encysted small strongyles which hypobiotic early third stage, late third
and fourth stage larvae.
The product becomes available exclusively to veterinarians this month for the treatment and
prevention of small strongyle infections, the company says.
Rob Sterling, marketing manager for Hoechst Roussel Vet, explains, "What is unique is the
treatment of hypobiotic encysted EL3, early third stage larvae of small strongyles. These
constitute about 75 percent of the population of encysted small strongyles. The further back
into the lifecycle of this parasite, the bigger the population gets. The earlier you treat it, the
more effective the treatment," he says.
Panacur Powerpac, sold exclusively through veterinarians, is packaged in five, 57g tubes for
the treatment of small strongyle infections, which is a new product claim recently granted by
the Food and Drug Administration. The 57g dosage is enough dewormer to treat a 1,250
pound horse.
Administration is once-a-day for five consecutive days.
Sterling explains that the hypobiotic stage is marked by a period of no or slow development by
the small strongyle larvae. This larval stage can last anywhere from one day to three years.
The strongyle larval encyst along the gut wall and can present to veterinarians as both clinical
and subclinical infection.
"Horses from 0-6 years of age and 15 years or older are more at risk from larval
cyathostomosis. It shows up particularly in the winter months, from November to April, in
areas defined by winter seasons," he says.
In southern climates, the parasite can be treated the same way, but the time of year differs,
Sterling adds.
An otherwise healthy horse may present to a veterinarian with intermittent diarrhea, and the
horse is either losing weight or eating more to maintain its weight, he says. "This is a
subclinical problem associated with the presence of encysted small strongyles," Sterling
explains.
"The significance of this approval is that it finally gives the veterinarian a tool to use both as
treatment and prevention of encysted small strongyles," he says. "It provides treatment when
they see the syndrome, and prevention when used in an optimal worm control program."
Sterling says use of the product will require diagnosis and administration by the veterinarian.
No diagnostic test exists for this larval stage and fecal egg counts can't provide any information
on the parasite burden at the EL3 stage, simply because these larvae are not shedding eggs.
"There are very few markers, if any at all," he adds. "We also know that all horses have small
strongyles, because they are everywhere," he adds.
"Our message to horse owners continues to be that encysted small strongyles are present in
every horse, and you need the services of a veterinarian who would design a parasite control
program to do the best job. Our message is the need for veterinary involvement," Sterling says.
"The idea is not to use this approval as a reason to eliminate the use of other products, it gives
us a reason to help get the other products used in the right spots for optimal parasite control,"
Sterling adds.
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