Abbey Diagnostics worm counts, I'm seriously NOT impressed

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rebmw

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I may be a bit behind the times here, but I've decided to go down the worm count route with my two horses.

After a bit of HHO researching, the two names that kept coming up were Abbey Diagnostics and Westgate Labs. So a quick look on their websites and I decided that seeing as I didn't need a next day service I'd give AD a go as they are a bit cheaper.

I was a bit suprised when I rang AD on Monday that a man picked up the phone and went "er hello", so I checked to make sure I had the correct number and indeed I was speaking to someone from AD. So first impressions were not one of a terribly professional outfit.
After a brief chat I was told to expect my testing kits in the post.

When todays post came and still no sign of any kits, I gave AD another call. Again, I felt the need to check if I had the right number as again the phone was answered with an "erm hello".
I asked if my kits had been sent out and I was told no, that they would go in the next batch. When I enquired when that would be, I was told they had no idea! The excuse for that was that they'd only post stuff off when they had enough post to make it worthwhile going to the post office.
I'm sorry but thats the kind of response I'd expect from a private seller on ebay, not someone running a professional company.
So again I asked if there was any chance they'd be posted by the weekend, and I was told no. At which point I said I was going to take my business elsewhere, and the man replied, "ok then".
I don't mind waiting a few extra days, but to have to wait at least 10 days is a bit much.

Personally, I think this is a shabby way to run a business and there's no way I'd be happy giving someone my hard earned money for them to provide a service as and when it suits them, not the customer. It left me wondering, if I had've waited for the kits in the first place, how blooming long would it have taken them to do the test and then to get the results? Based on this lack lustre performance, I certainly wouldn't want to hold my breath.

So, off the phone and on the internet to order from Westgate Labs. Hope I have better luck with these guys! At least their website looks a lot more professional, and I'm sure this will be a fine example of, you get what you pay for!
 
I've used Westgate as they're local, test results sent by text and e-mail and e-mail updates when they're next due was very pleased with the service!
 
I have started using Westgate Labs. I would get the 4count. It is really good and you know that you have some kits left. It also gives you a good time table as to when to do the worm counts. :)
 
I rang Abbey Diagnostics a few days ago to order sample kits and discuss the worming. The phone was answered by a man saying "hello" and I checked to see if it was indeed AD. To be fair, I think it maybe a phone number which is also private use so just saying hello is fine as it could be someone wholy unconnected with horses ringing about something else entirely. I guess not having a separate usiness phone keeps costs down. As for not going to the post office right away ,well i live rurally and we do the same thing, we only travel to the shops once a fortnight or less stiocking up and using the village shop for odds and ends. the price of petrol is too high to make frequent journeys. this keeps costs down. AD is much cheaper than WG. I was very impressed with my conversation about worming issues and what wormers to use and will be using Abbey Diagnostics for my worm counts.
 
Westgate Labs gets my vote too. I posted poo samples off wednesday and i got results emailed to me yesterday. This is the second time using westgate and i have been impressed both times. Definately recommended.
 
Buy a microscope and do your own FECs!

You've already had a lesson that those who do it don't required a PhD in business management!

It really isn't difficult and you should be aware that worms don't lay eggs in a nice neat routine but do it in spurts -- so one count could be inaccurate.

Do yourself a favour and do a Google.
 
I have used AD ONCE but will probably not be going back. The "hello" when the phone was eventually answered was not very professional. I received the packs quickley enough but once they had been posted it was over 10 days before I got a reply. I phoned them two days on the trot only to find the phone constantly engaged. Really frustrating. What did concern me was the length of time before the samples were tested.
 
I've used both & not really had issues with either. I'm not too bothered if I get the result in a couple of days or in three or four days. With little difference in the service I go with the price & Abbey Diagnostics are around £3.00 per sample cheaper than Westgate Lab. When you have several horses being checked the difference in cost matters. Also over the years I've gathered 'points' with Abbey & as ca result have had several free counts as well.

As for answering the phone with 'Hello' rather that announcing the company name......for a saving of around £3.00 per count he can answer 'Hi mate, what can I do you for?'...I don't care!

At the moment I'll stick with Abbey. :)
 
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I have used AD for the last few years and they have been very efficient. However, sent this years off 2 weeks ago and had to phone twice to find out when i would have the results. Answer, they are in the fridge and will be done when they get round to it. That happened to be 10 days later!! Really unprofessional and wont use them again.
 
Sorry, but if running a business they need to be efficient.
Off topic slightly, I see there is a microscope in Lidl, might buy one and do my own count next time, will send a sample to Westgate though, just to make sure [Westgate texted results on day of receipt. Also had a telephone chat about , well, worms!]
 
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We use AD through yard owner so I have not thought about looking into other companies but agree with the phone answer. Also count before last clear this one 250 count mare on same filed with same company so not sure how that worked. When called to ask what worker retired told normally worming programme not the most helpfull
 
sherbet said:
We use AD through yard owner so I have not thought about looking into other companies but agree with the phone answer. Also count before last clear this one 250 count mare on same filed with same company so not sure how that worked. When called to ask what worker retired told normally worming programme not the most helpfull
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Try again sherbet, didn't quite catch your meaning at the end.
The worm burden will vary through the year and that is why you need to use the count. The whole idea of counting is to prevent immunity, also it should be cheaper and less poison spread on the fields [cue manure disposal]
AD are cheaper than W/gate so YO will go for that, but results can take a while, I wonder what happens to your sample if the fridge breaks down, lol, why would anyone have a slow system.
 
I have used Abbey Diagnostics for eleven years, and never had any issues of any kind, unlike another Company. I am shocked to read your post.
 
Westgate all the way. Used them for years, always efficient, never a problem. Highly recommended.
 
Can't praise AD highly enough. I sent mine last week, no rush for a result until my boy has been off colour. Today we had the vet as he's got an upset tummy but not colic. Phoned AD and yes was answered 'hello' (didn't think anything of it tbh) and asked if my sample had been done so I could pass the results to the vet. Not done yet due to bank holiday back log but they'd get it done for me and ring me back. They rang me back within the hour with the results and then phoned my vet who advised me on what product to use. So thank you AD for your pleasent, helpful service today.
 
Interesting, Im on a yard and Im pretty sure AD are the company recently used for our worm counts. A pony living off the yard had a sample sent along with ours, came back as low but when said pony was moved to another field and had to be wormed before joining the other horses (on Vets advice by the way and only a short time had passed), the pony "parted" with several redworm and some little white ones, disgusting. As I said, interesting!!!
 
i also decided to go down the worm count route,NEVER AGAIN!

i witnessed the egg count at my vets surgery nil eggs in all samples yippee.........1 WEEK later live adult worms in my yearlings dung! i will not be convinced to try it again :(
 
alfiesmum said:
i also decided to go down the worm count route,NEVER AGAIN!

i witnessed the egg count at my vets surgery nil eggs in all samples yippee.........1 WEEK later live adult worms in my yearlings dung! i will not be convinced to try it again :(
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This happened to me last year with my 2 yearlings. I hadnt wormed for months on vets advice but in the end in August I wormed them anyway after finding a large ascarid in a pile of manure.
 
Worms are not hens and they don't necessarily lay routinely. They lay eggs in fits and starts according to lots of things (weather, diet, health, etc)!

So I think you may all be being a bit hard on the counters (which I am not and have no financial interest either way).;)
 
I have used both, and found Abbey by far the best, and have been using them with absolutely no complaint for many years.
 
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