Problem with wormers

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Crugeran Celt

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I have a ninteen year old Welsh Sectd/thoroughbred that for the last two or three years has had colic after worming every time. I have tried different wormers at different times of the year but always with the same outcome. I have now tried a herbal wormer and although the reaction wasn't as bad she still had colic within a few hours of being given it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I had this problem with an elderly Arab some years ago and was advised not to worm in the end as she never mixed with other horses and her field was kept clear of droppings.
 
Have you had her counted to see if she actually needs worming? And which wormers have you tried on her? Some are milder and thus have to be done at increased frequency but they may be more gentle on your mare's system.
 
I have tried so many different ones over the last few years I have lost count, I haven't had her tested as I have always just stuck to a regular worming program with all my horses. I have had to have the vet out due to the colic on more than one occasion and he has said that this sometimes happens and to change wormers which I have done several times but always the same outcome but with differing severity. I feel that I do not want to worm her any more and was wondering if I worm all the others regurlarly would she be ok anyway?
 
I would wholeheartedly recommend you having her worm-counted by somewhere like Westgate Laboratories. It's £11 and you'll usually have the result within 48 hours of them receiving your sample if you request them to email you the result. If you've wormed all your horses regularly and keep the fields clean, chances are she'll have a zero or low count anyway so why bang a load of risky chemicals into her routinely if she doesn't need them anyway?

The only thing you'll need to bear in mind is that tapeworms don't show up (you'd need a blood test done by your vet) so you'll need to tapeworm her at least once a year, in the autumn and then optionally in spring.

:)
 
Thankyou I will do that, can't cope with the colic especially as she has gone down with stress laminitus after the bouts of colic! Horses who'd have them?
 
If you phone Gill at Westgate, she will send you out a pack to use (plastic glove, little plastic box for the specimen and a pre-addressed jiffy bag).

Do let me know what the result is? :)
 
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