Morphological characteristics of larvae L1, L2 and L3 in equine gastrointestinal parasites in the region of Los Lagos in Chile

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the region of Los Lagos in Chile. The purpose of this research was to determine the time of apparition and the morphologic characteristics of larvae L1, L2 and L3 of large and small strongyles of horses. 10 animals belonging to “Isla Teja” of the Universidad Austral de Chile campus were used. A sample of faeces was taken from these animals and the number of eggs per gram in faecal material was determined using the McMaster’s technique. After selecting the four samples with the highest counts, eggs were planted with temperature and humidity controlled in order to subsample every 24 hours for a period of 21 days. These sub-samples were analyzed by direct observation and Baerman’s technique, scoring macro and microscopically changes. It was possible to differentiate between larvae L1, L2 and L3 of large and small strongyles. Larvae L1, L2 and L3 of small strongyles appeared from days 2, 3 and 7 respectively.