horse worming Archives - Page 2 of 2 -

What wormer should I use?

Horse Health / Dr Louise Cosgrove / February 27, 2023

As your horse ages, they will be susceptible to different parasites. Choosing the right wormer means selecting a wormer with the correct active ingredients to counter these burdens. It begins by evaluating their age and circumstances. Typically, foals are born with very little resistance to worms and are particularly vulnerable to Parascaris equorum, the intestinal roundworm. Whereas cyathostomins, or small strongyles, affect horses of all ages, with more than 54 known species. Effective worm control is based on targeting the parasites present on your property. To determine which worms are affecting your horse, you should conduct a faecal egg count annually, with the first taking place at six months of age. Foals and Young Horses Large roundworms are potentially fatal to foals. If identified on your property, you may need to start worming from one month of age. Macrocyclic lactones (the ML’s) are your best defence against the migrating larvae, followed by Benzimidazole (the BZ’s) at three months to target the adult worms. Foals should receive at least four parasite treatments in their first year to protect against large worm burdens. By 12-15 months of age, your foal will have developed a strong immunity to roundworms, so your worming program will change to target the next most likely worm burden. Adult Horses Cyathostomins are the prevailing parasite affecting horses of all ages. While weanlings and yearlings have less immunity to them, most adult horses can comfortably co-exist with small numbers. However, when large numbers of larvae simultaneously emerge, they cause the disease known as cyathostominosis. While we can’t eliminate cyathostomins completely, we can significantly reduce the number of larvae present with doses of Moxidectin or Fenbendazole. Targeting the encysted larvae is most successful during times of the year unfavourable to their survival, such as during hot Summers and cold Winters.

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My horse is dropping weight unexpectedly. What does that mean?

Horse Health / Dr Louise Cosgrove / January 9, 2024

There are three common reasons for unexpected weight loss. These include inadequate diet, poor dental care, and ineffective worming. If your horse is losing weight unexpectedly, then you should assess these three areas to ensure their needs are being met. Nutrition As a general rule, every horse should be consuming 2-3% of their body weight in feed every day. Feeding low-quality roughage or providing an inadequate level of calories in your horse’s daily feed ration are two of the most common culprits behind unexpected weight loss. The nutritional requirements of horses must be met at every stage of life. Young, growing horses, lactating mares and equine athletes will have higher requirements for calories and protein than pleasure horses. Remember, seasonal and hormonal changes can also affect senior horses and mares in oestrus, resulting in weight loss during Winter and weight gain during Summer. Dental Care Without regular dental care, your horse may find it uncomfortable or even painful to chew their food. At any age, sharp enamel points, caused by uneven wear, and missing or misaligned teeth, can cause mild to severe discomfort. From nine months of age, every horse should receive a dental examination at least once a year. However, as your horse ages, the need for regular dental checks will increase. Any horse aged 16 or older should receive a minimum of two dental examinations per year. Weight loss due to poor dentition is most commonly seen in senior horses. Proper chewing and, thus, digestion will support your senior horse’s ability to absorb nutrients and maintain a healthy weight. Worming While most horses can live in harmony with some intestinal parasites, any high worm burden can have long-term impacts on your horse’s intestinal health and ability to absorb nutrients, leading to severe weight loss and malnutrition. Every horse should be wormed every 8-12 weeks. It’s also vital that you assess the effectiveness of your worming program with a fecal egg count prior to worming and a fecal egg count reduction test several weeks later. Providing your horse with an adequate dose of the wormer most effective against the parasites affecting them is the only way to protect them against damage to the digestive tract.

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If You Are Expecting: Part 3

Horse Breeding / Dr Louise Cosgrove / January 11, 2024

A mare’s gestation is normally between 320 and 345 days – that’s a long time to wait for something to go wrong. Before your precious bundle arrives, there are three important areas of your mare’s health that you need to consider. In this article, we discuss the third, If You Are Expecting: Vaccinations And Worming. In case you missed Part 1, click here, or Part 2, click here. Mare Care: Vaccinations and Worming Protecting your mare and her unborn foal is easy with a sufficient vaccination and worming program prior to the foal’s arrival. Vaccinations The most important vaccination your mare should receive during her pregnancy is tetanus, which is usually combined with strangles, commonly named ‘2 in 1’. If you’re unsure about your mare’s vaccination history, it’s best to give her the full course of tetanus and strangles. However, if she’s had the initial course, then she should receive the annual booster four weeks prior to her due date. Herpes virus can cause abortion in pregnant mares and respiratory issues in unborn foals. There are vaccines available to protect your mare and foal against the most common – herpes virus 1 and 4. These vaccines should be administered at five, seven and nine months of gestation. Depending on where you live, you may also vaccinate against salmonella. Salmonella is usually caught by foals either through ingestion or contamination via the umbilicus, leading to infection and diarrhoea, which can develop into septicemia. Your mare should be vaccinated six weeks prior to foaling. If she hasn’t been previously vaccinated, she should also receive an initial vaccine four weeks prior to the six-week one. Worming Finally, worming every 8-12 weeks is crucial for your mare’s health. There are many wormers on the market, so make sure the label states your choice of wormer is safe to use during pregnancy. If you’re nervous about worming your mare, worm her on the day she foals and remove her from the foaling paddock to prevent contamination. Collect any manure from the paddock as well to remove all feces which may contain eggs.

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How often should I worm my horse?

Horse Health / Dr Louise Cosgrove / April 12, 2023

As a horse owner, I know how important it is to keep my horse healthy and happy. One aspect of horse care that is often overlooked is worming. Worms can cause serious health problems for horses, so it’s essential to know how often to worm your horse and what can happen if you don’t. So, how often should you worm your horse? The answer depends on several factors, including your horse’s age, environment, and overall health, along with the type of worming product you use. Generally, adult horses should be wormed every 12-16 weeks (depending on products, time of year and pasture management), while foals and yearlings may need more frequent worming. It’s best to consult with your veterinarian to develop a worming schedule that’s tailored to your horse’s individual needs. If you don’t worm your horse regularly, several health problems can arise. Worms can cause weight loss, colic, diarrhea, and even death in severe cases. Additionally, worms can compromise your horse’s immune system, making them more susceptible to other illnesses. By staying on top of your horse’s worming schedule, you can help ensure that they stay healthy and happy for years to come. Why Worming Your Horse is Important The Importance of Regular Worming As a responsible horse owner, it is important to ensure that your horse is healthy and free from parasites. Regular worming is a crucial part of maintaining your horse’s health and well-being. There are several different types of worms that can infect horses, including roundworms, tapeworms, and bots. Each type of worm can cause different symptoms and health problems, so it is important to use a wormer that is effective against all types of worms. All worms have different life cycles and stages of development and therefor need to be treated at different times. Worming your horse regularly can also help prevent the spread of worms to other horses. Worms can be spread through contact with infected faeces, so it is important to practice good hygiene and clean up manure regularly. Be mindful though, that worming too regularly can also cause problems with resistance to the products occurring and then worming is not effective. The Risks of Not Worming Your Horse If you do not worm your horse regularly, it can lead to a range of health problems. Worms can cause weight loss, colic, diarrhea, and anemia, which can all be serious and potentially life-threatening. In addition, worms can weaken your horse’s immune system, making it more susceptible to other diseases and infections. Not worming your horse can also increase the risk of worm infestations in other horses. If your horse is infected with worms and comes into contact with other horses, it can spread the worms to them. This can lead to a cycle of infection that is difficult to break. In conclusion, regular worming is an essential part of maintaining your horse’s health and well-being. By worming your horse regularly, you can prevent a range of health problems and help keep your horse healthy and happy. How Often Should You Worm Your Horse? Factors to Consider When it comes to worming your horse, there are several factors to consider. The first is the age of your horse. Foals and young horses should be wormed more frequently than older horses as they are more susceptible to parasites. The second factor to consider is the location and environment in which your horse lives. Horses in high-risk areas or those that are exposed to other horses frequently may need to be wormed more often. Lastly, the overall health of your horse should be taken into account. Horses that are sick or have a weakened immune system may need to be wormed more frequently. The last factor to consider is the products you use as some wormers are very potent and only need to be given every 16 weeks, and other wormers don’t kill all stages of the worm’s life cycle. Some wormers only kill the adult worms and leave the larvae or nymph stages present. Recommended Worming Schedule The recommended worming schedule for horses varies depending on their age, location, product used and overall health. Generally, horses should be wormed every 12-14 weeks. However, foals should be wormed every 4-6 weeks until they reach 6 months of age, but be mindful some wormers are harmful to foals until 3-4 months of age.. Horses in high-risk areas or those exposed to other horses frequently may need to be wormed more often, up to every 4-6 weeks. It’s important to work with your veterinarian to develop a worming schedule that is tailored to your horse’s specific needs. The most effective way to determine a worming schedule for your horse is to have a faecal egg count performed on your horses manure.This will allow identification of worms present and the rough number. This can then allow you to strategically chose the right wormer. Signs Your Horse Needs Worming As a horse owner, it is important to know the signs that indicate your horse needs worming. Here are a few things to look out for: Symptoms of Worm Infestation If your horse is experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign that they have a worm infestation: Weight loss or poor body condition despite a good appetite Diarrhea or loose stools Colic or abdominal pain Coughing or respiratory issues Unexplained lethargy or fatigue Changes in coat condition or skin irritations Scratching anus or neck. When to Consult a Veterinarian If you notice any of the above symptoms or suspect that your horse may have a worm infestation, it is important to consult with your veterinarian. They can perform a fecal egg count to determine the type and severity of the infestation and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. It is also important to note that some horses may not show any symptoms of a worm infestation, so regular worming is still necessary to prevent any potential health issues. Types of Wormers When it comes to worming your

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What wormer should I use for horse worming & what is the horse worming schedule?

Horse Health / Dr Louise Cosgrove / August 3, 2024

As your horse ages, they will be susceptible to different parasites. Choosing the right wormer means selecting a wormer with the correct active ingredients to counter these burdens. It begins by evaluating their age and circumstances. In this article, we discuss two of the most prevalent parasites that you may encounter. Typically, foals are born with very little resistance to worms and are particularly vulnerable to Parascaris equorum, the intestinal roundworm. Whereas cyathostomins, or small strongyles, affects horses of all ages, with more than 54 known species. Effective worm control is based on targeting the parasites present on your property. To determine which worms are affecting your horse, you should conduct a fecal egg count annually, with the first taking place at six months of age. Horse Worming & Schedule for Foals and Young Horses Large roundworms are potentially fatal to foals. If identified on your property, you may need to start worming from one month of age. Macrocyclic lactones (the ML’s) are your best defense against the migrating larvae, followed by Benzimidazole (the BZ’s) at three months to target the adult worms. Foals should receive at least four parasite treatments in their first year to protect against large worm burdens. By 12-15 months of age, your foal will have developed a strong immunity to roundworms, so your worming program will change to target the next most likely worm burden. Horse Worming & Schedule for Adult Horses Cyathostomins are the prevailing parasite affecting horses of all ages. While weanlings and yearlings have less immunity to them, most adult horses can comfortably co-exist with small numbers. However, when large numbers of larvae simultaneously emerge, they cause the disease known as cyathostominosis. While we can’t eliminate cyathostomins completely, we can significantly reduce the number of larvae present with doses of Moxidectin. Targeting the encysted larvae is most successful during times of the year unfavourable to their survival, such as during hot Summers and cold Winters. N.B. Be careful when worming your horse to estimate their weight correctly as underdosing will create resistant worms. It is often advisable to change wormers once yearly by active ingredient to a different active ingredient ie if you have been using equest plus tape change to strategy T once in the yearly cycle. Read More About Horse Worming

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