Need some info about encysted redworm

[chev]

Some background info; when May went to Monty's to diet she started scouring (very badly). A friend of Monty's who knows his stuff suggested worms so she was double dosed with ivermectin. Given that the scouring stopped I'd say the diagnosis was spot on. It struck me as slightly odd because since we've had her she has been regularly wormed but it was without doubt worms.

Over the last week May's starting to look bloated again. The belly, that she was losing nicely at Monty's, has returned, although I can feel ribs now (you have to try, but you can!). This morning, her droppings are soft - kind of like when you turn a horse out on good grass for the first time. So, at a guess, I'd say worms again.

So the questions are, first of all why is she apparently so wormy so soon after treatment and secondly what should I do about it? A friend said she's maybe carried encysted redworm around since before we had her, which my worming programme hasn't eliminated, and which are now causing problems. We've had her two and a half years - surely they don't remain encysted that long?!

She's starting the Panacur 5 day course now and then I'll do a worm count. Anyhting else I should be doing?

[Lgd]

Might be worth sending a sample off to westgate labs a few weeks after she has finished the Panacur. It might give you a better idea as to which worms (if any) are causing the problems. Probably also worth doing her for tapeworm - either double dose Strongid P or something like Equimax (ivermectin + praziquantel)

[artemis]

Can't add anything I would do exactly the same as Lgd. And quickly.

[chev]

Thanks. They were all double dosed with Strongid-P in August - hubby did them as I was still housebound after having the baby. I'll do them again. I had counts done on Lili and Gelfy and they came back at <200 epg for Gelfy and <500 epg for Lili, mostly strongyles - which is why I'm assuming May's problem is strongyles. They did say a low tapeworm count doesn't always reflect low tapeworm infestation as a segment has to actually burst in the sample to show the eggs. I'll do her with Equimax as well. How long after finishing the Panacur should I do her with Equimax?

[Lgd]

No reason you can't do her within a few days of the panacur as the panacur won't nobble the tapeworms. May be worth seeing if her symptoms resolve with the 5 day guard and if they do, then do her with the equimax 6 weeks later on the normal worming cycle.

[chev]

Thanks. Let's hope it solves the problem. I take it no-one knows how long they remain encysted, or why my worming programme has failed to do the job?

[artemis]

Are you changing your wormer each year to avoid building up a resistance? I don't mean the manufacturers name, but the chemical formula.
A lot of people don't realise that a lot of wormers are the same stuff under a different manufacturers brand name.

[chev]

Yep. Although we've stuck with equest for redworm in October and Strongid-P for tapeworm. Maybe I should have varied that as well...?