Restarting a worming programme

[indienf]

For one reason and another one of my mares, who is out on loan but coming back on Sunday, has not been wormed for at least 6 months.
To restart worming her, what should I worm her with and does it need to be a double dose?
Thanks
indienf

[chev]

I'd have a worm count done first, since that's the best way to find out what she'll need worming for. Dose her for tapeworm after the count's done as counts don't usually give accurate results for tapeworm, but otherwise be guided by what the lab finds. We used worm counts to target worm for a while, and found that two of ours had low counts every time and were generally only wormed twice a year, while another had a constant problem and needed really careful management.

Once you have the count results you can start a suitable worming programme, and use further counts to make sure any problem she might have is being addressed.

[indienf]

Worm count isn't really an option :( Need her wormed before she returns to me on Sunday 12th September.

[chev]

In which case I'd dose her with Equest and treat her with tapeworm - but keep an eye on her, some horses with a fair sized burden can drop some weight or get a bit colicky if they're suddenly dosed up.

I'd still be inclined to do a count before she's next wormed, just to make sure there's no nasty suprises lurking in there still, and take it from there.

[baxter]

hi,
i'd use and all round wormer and pick one that controls tapeworm (as you should be worming against tapeworm this time of year) or if you go for strongid p or other remember to double dose to protect against tapeworm then continue with usual wormers of your choice and pick one that tagets bots for december.
x

[indienf]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. Am just off to buy strongid p for her as that's what she's been wormed with before.
Before I go, how likely is it that she will be slightly colicky? She never has colicked before but I'm just cautious and slightly worried!

[Tina&Dale]

At my riding club all new horses are "drenched"/wormed before they are allowed into the paddocks.

We give two wormers on consecutive days; "Equimax" and "Promectin". These wormers contain the three groups of anthelmintics; Mectin, Praziquantel and Benzimidazole that treat a large range of worms (At least those that are present in my area in Australia).

Administering wormers that contain these three anthelmintics should treat your horse sufficiently, but I would consult a vet anyway as what we do is relevant for Australian conditions and more specifically our club. We get free vet advice on worming anyway, so it should be that same for you!

If you're interested...

Benzimidazoles: Approx 60% effective in treating gastrointestinal worms.
Praziquantel: Effective in treating Tapeworms. This kind of wormer should be re-administered every six months as the lifecycle of the tapeworm is 6 months.
Mectins: 99% effective in treating gastrointestinal worms.

[baxter]

should not be a problem if that is what she was wormed with before, however i got a new horse a week and a half ago and double dose strongid p'd him the minute he arrived. i was told he had been wormed 6 weeks prior to me getting him, i am somewhat dubious of what i was told as i'm sure he had a belly full of worms!! she should be fine, keep an eye on her and keep her stabled for a day.

[chev]

Not sure exactly where you are indienf but here in the UK there is a bit of a problem with resistance to certain wormers. I'd ask your vet - they'd be able to give a better idea of whether it's a problem in your area.


Different wormers kill different worms. Praziquantel kills tapeworms very well (Equimax wormer is praziquantel + Ivermectin), Pyrantel embonate (Strongid-P, Pyratape-P) will kill them at double dose - not as effectively though. None of the other groups of wormer licenced for horses kill tapeworm. Praziquantel is not effective against roundworm.

Fenbendazole (Panacur Equine Guard 5 day course) kills inhibited mucosal stages of small redworm. Some small redorm are resistant.

Ivermectin (Equarell, Eqvalan, Furexel) is highly effective against adult small redworm but has only limited effect on inhibited mucosal stages.

Moxidectin (Equest) is highly effective against all stages of small redworm, but not tapeworm. It also has a persistent effect - that is it continues to kill worms for up to 12 weeks after dosing.

You should treat for tapeworm around now (Equest is now available with a tapeworm treatment) and a treatment for inhibited small redworm next month, as a routine. Any other treatment will depend on the mare herself, and what she's carrying.

[H & Bailey]

whe i got rose she was riddled with roundworm and the vet said to give her 5day guard(panacur) as this kills about everything then next time dose her with equest as normal.

[Gill]

Oh dear, what a lot of well meant misinformation is in this thread.

Why would worm counts 'not be an option?' A count taken when worming is due or overdue is very useful in finding out if your horse has a worm problem.

Double dose strongidP will not treat encysted redworm and if it is some time since the horses last wormer it would be a good idea to treat for this. It will treat one type of tapeworm (newer drugs treat all three), and adult stages only of redworm.

There is no need to use Panacur5day along with Equest as they both are licensed for treating encysted redworm, the important stage of redworm to be treated.

Chev you are correct there is a lot of resistance with benzimidazole wormers like Panacur so if you use them you really should be using worm counts to make sure they have done their job.

A new horse should be
1 worm counted
2 treated with Equest for encysted redworm
3 treated with Equitape for tapeworm

Unless they have a high worm burden that should be enough until they slot into the yard programme or go onto a worm count programme.

[Tina&Dale]

Originally posted by indienf
Worm count isn't really an option :( Need her wormed before she returns to me on Sunday 12th September.


A worm count is done my mixing you horse fecal matter in a solution and then it is observed under a microscope to identify the kinds of worms your horse has. This can be done on the same day your sample goes in, provided your vet has the time to do it. It will give you the best advice and with time enough to treat your horse before 12th Sep.

[fatcob]

So complicated and so interesting! Have emailed Westgate Labs to get a kit for worm counts - will then start a worming programme to suit. Can someone (in simple terms) tell me whether I need to worm regularly if the worm count comes back low, and if so which wormers to use and when :)

[baxter]

i think its everyones personal choice on what worming routine they decide to pick and as long as worming routines are alternated each year, worms in horses will be kept under control. i agree with the fact that only a worm count will tell all and what i said about strongid p and double dosing etc, is what i chose to do with my horse.... i found a fab website where i buy all my wormers and have used for guidance and tactical worming...
www.wormers-direct.co.uk. x

[chev]

baxter, it's not personal choice - it's facts. Different wormers do different jobs. Please listen to Gill - she knows what she's on about. She runs Westgate labs... parasites are her career!!

Gill - sorry if I posted any misinformation - I try to be guided by what you say, but my brain ain't so good at retaining information!

[baxter]

ok sorry.
i wasn't trying to give advice (god forbid - we all try and do what we "think" is right for our horses) . i was just stating what i did and that was my personal choice.
sorry if i have offended people.

[chev]

Nobody was offended baxter - I certainly wasn't. I'm sure we all do our best for our horses, and New Rider is all about offering and asking for advice - I just meant that in this case Gill really does know her stuff. No worries :) .

[baxter]

thankyou...