Pony has been caught with Tapeworms.

[Florrie]

Quite worried, we wormed him on Tuesday and today when he was bought in from the field today he was pooing every 5-10 minutes (diarrhoea, quite liquidy), then we noticed white worms in his poo - either tapeworms/threadworms/pinworms. Some dead, some alive.

Never been in this scenario before, we have been advised to re-worm in 6-8 weeks and thoroughly poo pick the field (which was done today!) but in every poo there was atleast 1 worm, so I'm quite scared he's got an infestation but he is wormed regular.

But pony was constantly picking up his back leg and kicking it slightly out when tied up, so slightly worried he may have a douse of tummyache or a sore bum but he is eating and drinking happily and following through so I doubt it is colic. He was happily walking about his stable and hasn't attempted to roll or shown any colic like symptoms, just this funny kicking of the back leg when tied up (or could just be some diarrhoea running down his leg!)

Should I call the vet or just re-worm in a few weeks?

We used Equest wormer but have been advised to use Pramox for the next worming as it is stronger and will make sure they're all flushed out?

Just to note the worms were quite small, nothing huge and scary.

 

[ester]

if you used equest it isn't tapeworm as it doesn't affect them pramox would.

 

[Florrie]

if you used equest it isn't tapeworm as it doesn't affect them pramox would.

Ah okay!
I'm thinking it's threadworms as they look very, very identical to this - http://horsehints.org/graphics/Habronema.jpg

Are they easy to get rid of?

Ah sorry just realised it was Equimax we used, doh.

 

[CBFan]

I would advise you keep a close eye on him over the next 24 hours. loose droppings can actually be a sign of impaction colic, which can also tie in with a high worm burden, and the kicking at the tummy would worry me. Keep an eye on how much he is eating and drinking..

Really he should have been wormed with Pramox this time, if a little earlier but it's done now. I would really advise you consult your vet for advice as to what to do now with regards to worming but a worm count in a couple of months time would probably be a wise move.

 

[Florrie]

I would advise you keep a close eye on him over the next 24 hours. loose droppings can actually be a sign of impaction colic, which can also tie in with a high worm burden, and the kicking at the tummy would worry me. Keep an eye on how much he is eating and drinking..

Really he should have been wormed with Pramox this time, if a little earlier but it's done now. I would really advise you consult your vet for advice as to what to do now with regards to worming but a worm count in a couple of months time would probably be a wise move.

Thanks, I also think it doesn't help he was just recently moved into a field that's been resting so he's been out at lots of new rich grass for the past day or two (Sorry trying to avoid thinking worst case colic scenario as this ponio isn't insured!)
We stayed with him until quite late the the last few stools he did were rather normal, slightly watery but he wasn't doing them as much and they started to regulate so I think the slight case of the runs is settling down.

 

[CBFan]

Ok... the combination of fresh, lush pasture AND a worm burden is even more cause for concern... I really would advise you go back and check on him later this evening. The droppings you are describing still sound abnormal and very much like the sort my horse did when he had quite a severe impaction colic.

 

[ester]

ah ok equimax would have done tapes although if they look like that pic they are strongyles/roundworms not tapes.

I would keep a close eye for a bit if he is expelling a few and worm again in 6-8 weeks as suggested.

 

[Florrie]

Ok... the combination of fresh, lush pasture AND a worm burden is even more cause for concern... I really would advise you go back and check on him later this evening. The droppings you are describing still sound abnormal and very much like the sort my horse did when he had quite a severe impaction colic.

Will go back up and check on him, if his stools are back to normal is that a good sign?

ah ok equimax would have done tapes although if they look like that pic they are strongyles/roundworms not tapes.

I would keep a close eye for a bit if he is expelling a few and worm again in 6-8 weeks as suggested.

Okay, thank you! What wormer would you suggest?

 

[Izzwizz]

Equimax does cover tapeworm and the sister product to it is Eraquell. Hope your pony is ok