Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Honors Paper

Degree Name

Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies-BS

Department

Equine Science

Advisor

Dr. Sheri Birmingham

First Committee Member

Dr. Sheri Birmingham

Second Committee Member

Dr. Steffanie Burk

Third Committee Member

Dr. Paul Eisenstein

Keywords

Serum amyloid A, fenbendazole, moxidectin, inflammation

Subject Categories

Animal Sciences | Higher Education | Other Animal Sciences

Abstract

Anthelmintic administration in horses with parasitic burdens has been associated with localized inflammatory responses, particularly following the death of encysted cyathostomin larvae. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a highly sensitive, non-specific, acute-phase protein commonly used as a biomarker of systemic inflammation in horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether administration of the anthelmintics moxidectin or fenbendazole is associated with changes in SAA concentrations and whether age or body condition score influences this response. Thirty-eight horses with ≥200 eggs per gram of feces were randomly assigned to one of three groups: moxidectin (n= 13), fenbendazole (n= 12), or untreated control (n= 13). Blood samples were collected on Day 0, Day 1, and Day 7, and SAA concentrations were measured using the Zoetis StableLab stall-side assay. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed due to non-normal data distributions. Kruskal–Wallis tests revealed no significant differences in SAA concentrations between treatment groups at any sampling time point. However, a Friedman test indicated a significant decrease in SAA concentrations over time (χ²= 9.972, df= 2, p= 0.007), with reductions occurring each day, but the largest reduction occurred between Day 0 and Day 7. A binomial logistic regression analysis found no association between age or BCS and the direction of SAA change. These findings suggest that although statistically significant, the administration of moxidectin or fenbendazole does not induce clinically meaningful systemic inflammation as measured by SAA in otherwise healthy horses.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

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Acknowledgement 2

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