Strongylus vulgaris

The horses palisade worm ( Strongylus vulgaris) is a parasite that lives in the large intestine of horse, donkey, mule and zebra. It develops in the open and is directly taken orally without intermediate host from the host.

Features

The male reaches a size of 1.9 cm, the female size of up to 2.5 cm.

Life cycle

The infective larva is ingested with food. In blind and large intestine, the larvae then bore into the lower intestinal mucosa and develop there into the intestine arteries to the adult animal. According to this development, they move back into the intestine. There eggs are again formed, which are then excreted in the faeces. There the larva develops to its third juvenile stage.

Harmful effect

Through a mass infestation of larvae in the intestine arteries leads to vasodilatation. There it can lead to blood clots. As the horses palisade worm sucks blood, it can also be lead to damage. However, usually, only minor inflammation.