{"id":38762,"date":"2016-07-11T13:44:37","date_gmt":"2016-07-11T13:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/horseandcountry.tv\/correct-worming-routine-horse\/"},"modified":"2023-06-07T17:37:16","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T16:37:16","slug":"correct-worming-routine-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/press.horseandcountry.tv\/en-us\/correct-worming-routine-horse\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you know the correct worming routine for your horse?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vet Blaise Scott-Morris BVSc MRCVS explains why, when it comes to choosing a worming routine for your horse, it may be time to update your advice.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Worming is complicated<\/h2>\n

Advising on a worming routine can be complicated, especially as there is not a \u2018one size fits all\u2019 solution.\u00a0 Challenges presented include ensuring an accurate estimation of weight, trying to ensure the horse receives the full dose it is prescribed and combating increasing resistance to worming treatments.<\/p>\n

This article aims to give an overview of the parasites that we are facing and how we can assist our clients throughout the year to keep their horses happy and healthy.<\/p>\n

Worms of importance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The importance of different equine gastrointestinal parasites varies with a horse\u2019s age, the time of year and the parasites migratory pathway within the horse.\u00a0 Cyathostomins, commonly known as small redworms (figure 1) are considered one of the most important equine parasites worldwide (3,4) and a particularly important parasite to consider in the spring.<\/p>\n

After ingestion, the larval stages of the parasite become encysted once they reach the large intestine.\u00a0 Up to 90% of encysted larval cyathostomins may become \u2018inhibited\u2019 in this encysted state and can live in the large intestinal wall for up to 2 years.\u00a0 In the spring these larval stages emerge en masse<\/em> causing severe damage to the intestinal wall resulting in diarrhoea, colic and possibly even death (4).<\/p>\n

\"Figure
Figure 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Worms with migratory pathways such as Parascaris equorum<\/em>, commonly known as roundworms (figure 2) can contribute to gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal signs.\u00a0 P. equorum<\/em> migrates via the liver and lungs, causing signs such as coughing and nasal discharge.\u00a0 The eggs are extremely resistant to external environmental conditions so can sustain the cycle from one year to the next through multiple batches of foals.\u00a0 Infected foals can pass millions of eggs daily. As foals grow, the volume of larvae that reach the small intestine, and the number of eggs produced dramatically decreases, conferring good age immunity after approximately the first year of life (2, 6).<\/p>\n

\"Figure<\/p>\n

P equorum <\/em>infection in young horses can be significant, causing ill thrift, poor growth, weight loss, colic and intestinal impaction or perforation leading to death (figure 3).<\/p>\n

\"Figure
Figure 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Intestinal parasites such as Anoplocephala perfoliata <\/em>(tapeworms) and Strongyles <\/em>(redworms) (figure 4) are commonly an underlying cause of colic in adult horses.\u00a0 Parasites cause colic through damage at their site of attachment or migration, either to blood vessels or intestinal mucosa and furthermore physical blockage of the intestine, which may lead to an impaction or, in the worst case, intestinal rupture.<\/p>\n

\"Figure
Figure 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oxyuris equi, <\/em>more commonly known as pinworm, can be particularly challenging to control due to its location within the gastrointestinal tract.\u00a0 This parasite has a unique lifecycle, living in the caecum and large colon.\u00a0 Female worms then migrate a short distance to the rectum, stick their back ends out and lay eggs in clumps on the perianal region.\u00a0 There is significant perianal irritation and the eggs can be seen as yellow white gelatinous streaks.\u00a0 Most commonly owners initially see their horse persistently rubbing their back end on objects such as fences causing a \u2018rat-tail\u2019 appearance.<\/p>\n

Risk factors and diagnosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A horse\u2019s lifestyle should be assessed for factors which would place it in a high or low risk category when it comes to exposure to worms and subsequent worming strategy.<\/p>\n

High-risk situations include horses on larger yards and sharing grazing, especially if there is a high turnover of horses with unknown worming histories. If all horses on the yard can be wormed at the same time with the same wormer, strategic dosing can be used with any new animals on the yard wormed immediately and not turned out for 24 hours unless the worming history is unknown and full worming may induce further problems.<\/p>\n

In this case, a more targeted approach may be warranted which avoids killing all the worms at once as this can lead to further complications for the horse. If cooperation on a yard is not possible then interval dosing or targeted strategic dosing are both options depending on owner commitment.\u00a0 Most importantly ensure there is a strategy of some sort in place! Other risk factors would include horses that travel to shows a lot or compete if they have access to grass or different forage.<\/p>\n

On smaller yards or those with a stable horse population targeted strategic dosing may be more easily achievable.\u00a0 This involves determining the level of parasite infection a horse has.\u00a0 There are several ways of performing this: a faecal worm egg count (FWEC), such as the FECPAK system (Techion Group Ltd), can be used to assess the roundworm burden during the summer grazing season.\u00a0 The standard threshold for retreatment on a FEC is a minimum of 200 eggs\/g; retreatment is necessary to keep a low level of pasture re-infectivity and continue to decrease parasite burden in the herd (1). Tapeworms can be diagnosed via a blood or saliva test.\u00a0 The saliva test can be performed quickly and simply by the owner and then returned in the post to a lab who will analyse the sample and email the result.<\/p>\n

The targeted strategic dosing strategy also supports the role of refugia in response to resistance.\u00a0 By leaving some worms in refugia i.e. unexposed to wormer treatments, you dilute the population of worms which will develop resistance.\u00a0 This can be achieved by using FWEC to decide which horses are treated therefore limiting the number of horses treated, using a wormer that only kills adult worms thereby leaving the young emerged larvae essentially in refugia (after assessing the risk of mass emergence on a case by case basis), or managing the larval numbers on pasture via poo picking.<\/p>\n

Direction – worming strategy options<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are several options to consider when advising on worming in different situations as outlined above.\u00a0 Depending upon how and where the horse or horses are kept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Worming Strategy<\/strong><\/td>\nDefinition<\/strong><\/td>\nAdvantages<\/strong><\/td>\nDisadvantages<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Interval Dosing<\/strong><\/td>\nRegular dosing performed every 4 to 13 weeks (depending on type of wormer)<\/td>\nMay be the only option on multi owner livery yards if there is no coherent worming programme in place<\/td>\nMany treatments are unnecessary and the overuse of wormers encourages resistance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strategic Dosing<\/strong><\/td>\nSpecific treatments given at certain times of year based on the parasite lifecycle and the risk of disease<\/td>\nHelps to reduce unnecessary treatments.<\/p>\n

Helps reduce risk of resistance.<\/p>\n

Makes worming more cost-effective<\/td>\n

Requires all owners on the yard to co-operate as all horses grazing together should be treated together.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible that some horses may need more frequent dosing.<\/p>\n

Some treatments may still be unnecessary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Targeted Strategic Dosing<\/strong><\/td>\nSpecific treatments determined by FWEC and\/or tapeworm ELISA tests (blood\/saliva)<\/td>\nAvoids unnecessary treatments and greatly reduces the risk of resistance<\/td>\nCostly to set up initially, but as less wormers are used, this balances out. Requires all owners on the yard to co-operate in testing and treatment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Dosage – treatment considerations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is vital to ensure horses are receiving the correct amount of wormer for their weight however, in reality, this presents as problem.\u00a0 When a horse\u2019s weight is estimated, on average, the estimate is approximately 20% below the actual weight.\u00a0 Also a horse\u2019s weight will fluctuate considerably at different times of year depending upon its workload so the same weight should not be assumed all year around.<\/p>\n

Delivery \u2013 treatment considerations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A second factor to consider is the importance of a horse receiving the full dose of wormer. In each syringe of wormer is approximately one or two teaspoons of paste containing the total dose of the active ingredient. Any \u2018spit-out\u2019 can represent a significant volume of the overall dose being lost and horses not receiving the correct dose. \u00a0Under-dosing has two consequences, firstly, the product will not work as it should, leaving customers dissatisfied; and secondly, it can contribute to the rapid development of resistant worms.<\/p>\n

There are now more options when considering how to dose a horse for worming. In addition to a traditional syringe of paste, tablets are also available.\u00a0 Tablet wormers such as Equimax Tabs\u00ae or Eraquell Tabs\u00ae from\u00a0Virbac allow the flexibility of wormers being given as a treat, with a treat or mixed in with the food. This presentation aims to address the issue of \u2018spit-out\u2019, giving flexibility to owners with horses who are more challenging to worm.<\/p>\n

General pasture management such as poo picking is important in the control of all equine intestinal parasites alongside a well implemented and controlled worming strategy. For other worms such as Oxyuris equi <\/em>the most important measure is management not worming strategy. Ensuring owner awareness and vigilance will ensure horses with a possible infection are spotted early.\u00a0 This can then be addressed through hygiene measures in the environment and washing of the horses back end.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, a few simple steps can be taken to make advising on worming a stress free experience for both you and your client.\u00a0 Ensure that the weight of the horse is up to date and accurate, establish what worming strategy will best fit their lifestyle, speak to the owner about how they think their horse would best take a wormer and advise on an appropriate preparation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Biography<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Blaise Scott-Morris BVSc MRCVS qualified at Bristol in 2011.\u00a0 For three and a half years Blaise worked in Small Animal Practice for both independent and corporate practices, developing a keen interest in client communication and practice profitability.\u00a0 In October 2014, Blaise joined Virbac as a Veterinary Advisor, providing technical support and training, both internally and externally, and participating in pharmacovigilance.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

References<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Abbott, J.B. & Barrett, J. (2008). The problem of diagnosing tapeworm infections in horses, Equine vet. J., 40 (1):5-6.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Clayton, H.M. & Duncan, J.L. (1979). The development of immunity to Parascaris equorum infection in the foal, Res Vet Sci., 26(3):383-4<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Collobert-Laugier, C., Hoste, H., Sevin, C., Dorchies, P. (2002) Prevalence, abundance and site distribution of equine small strongyles in Normandy, France,\u00a0Vet Parasitol., 110:77\u201383.<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. S. (2009). Equine cyathostomins: a review of biology, clinical significance and therapy, Parasit. Vectors, 2(Suppl 2): S1.<\/em><\/li>\n
  5. M. & Hutchinson, G. (1990) Prevalence and abundance of equine strongyles (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in tropical Australia,\u00a0J Parasitol.76:487\u2013494.<\/em><\/li>\n
  6. Reinemeyer, C.R. (2009). Diagnosis and control of anthelmintic-resistant Parascaris equorum, Parasites and Vectors, 2(Suppl 2):S8<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Virbac \"Master<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Vet Blaise Scott-Morris BVSc MRCVS explains why, when it comes to choosing a worming routine for your horse, it may be time to update your advice. Worming is complicated Advising on a worming routine can be complicated, especially as there is not a \u2018one size fits all\u2019 solution.\u00a0 Challenges presented include ensuring an accurate estimation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":23338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[40,17],"tags":[51,5064,78,5065,405,5485],"yoast_head":"\nDo you know the correct worming routine for your horse? | Horse & Country<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When it comes to worming your horse, it may be time to update your advice says vet Blaise Scott-Morris. 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