sorry a bit of a stupid question

[GypsGal1718]

its about time to worm my girls for encysted redworm, i was going to use the equest that targets it but i am wondering if i should use the equest pramox as it has tapewrom control additionally as i have not saliva tested them in the last six months.
sorry to be a dimwit

 

[Melody Grey]

Not being a dimwit at all- I use equest and then tapeworm test (equisal) in the spring and then treat for tapeworm then if required.

I personally won’t use pramox due to colic risk, there are plenty of threads on here about it if you search? I appreciate many people would use it and are happy with that, but I think it’s worth considering the potential risks if you’re unaware.

Vets and testing labs can give good advice which I’ve used many times.

 

[Sossigpoker]

You shouldn't use the tape worm one unless there's a need to. So I'd rather do the saliva test first and then treat accordingly.
Westgate labs will give advice if you email them and their subscription is only about £7 per month, they will then send you all your tests at the right time and advise on which wormers to use if there's a need

 

[JackFrost]

I personally find the saliva test tricky to get a sound result- depends on the horse and your management regime.
As I understand it, you don't need to do encysted redworm right now - they emerge in the spring in mild weather, so you need to do before then.

But if there is a possibility of tapeworm present, I would treat now for tapeworm, as it can cause colic, or do the saliva test to be sure you're ok.

So I would do for tapeworm ivermectin+praziquantel now, or double dose strongid p, then in about a month/6 weeks I'd do equest for the encysted redworm.

Strongid P is said to have a shorter effectiveness period (for other than tapeworm) of around 6 weeks, so that could work, and do equest end Jan/early Feb.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I personally find the saliva test tricky to get a sound result- depends on the horse and your management regime.
As I understand it, you don't need to do encysted redworm right now - they emerge in the spring in mild weather, so you need to do before then.

But if there is a possibility of tapeworm present, I would treat now for tapeworm, as it can cause colic, or do the saliva test to be sure you're ok.

So I would do for tapeworm ivermectin+praziquantel now, or double dose strongid p, then in about a month/6 weeks I'd do equest for the encysted redworm.

Strongid P is said to have a shorter effectiveness period (for other than tapeworm) of around 6 weeks, so that could work, and do equest end Jan/early Feb.

Using wormers when there's no need leads to resistance and horses will die in the future because there are no more effective wormers.
Red encysted should be done in the winter, not spring, and it is now recommended that a risk based approach is used for that as well , or the blood test , rather than blanket worming.

The saliva test is easy to use , nothing to do with management, just withhold food and water for 30 minutes and it literally shows you on the test when you've collected enough.

 

[SEL]

The saliva test is easy enough. Just bring the horse in for breakfast / tea with a small feed, no hay and then leave them for 30 mins. If there's no tapeworm burden then please don't use Pramox - we're running out of effective tapeworm drugs.

Personally I'd order an equisal test and wait until you've got the results. Might take a couple of weeks with Xmas post but that won't make much difference.

 

[GypsGal1718]

Yes I will. I will do saliva tests and just do the regular Equest for encysted red worm. Thanks for all the help everyone

 

[dottylottie]

on the topic of westgates - see if there’s anyone local to you that does mobile egg counting! i had the westgates subscription, because i didn’t want to forget when i was supposed to be doing it, but the cost added up is eye watering. we have someone near us who comes out to do them at the yard, £6 a time. i paid £84 for a subscription for one horse, but this way costs me £48 a year for both of them. just need to order tapeworm tests this way!

alternatively, it’s a bit cheaper to buy the annual pack from westgates.

 

[onemoretime]

Not being a dimwit at all- I use equest and then tapeworm test (equisal) in the spring and then treat for tapeworm then if required.

I personally won’t use pramox due to colic risk, there are plenty of threads on here about it if you search? I appreciate many people would use it and are happy with that, but I think it’s worth considering the potential risks if you’re unaware.

Vets and testing labs can give good advice which I’ve used many times.

This ^^^^^. I wont use Pramox for this very reason. I keep in touch with Westgate Labs and I worm with the green Equest at end of January. I then do worm counts through the summer and tape worm tests spring and autumn and send off to Westgate who then e mail the results to me.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

In terms of tests I found poo post the cheapest for egg count

 

[MuddyMonster]

In terms of tests I found poo post the cheapest for egg count

I'd ditto this.

I used Westgate for years but now use PooPost - less slick marketing is the only difference I've noticed other than a big reduction in costs.

 

[Surbie]

I've been with Westgate for worm tests for years, and to be honest I thought from all the posts that Poo Post would be miles cheaper than it actually is.

Looking at the 2 websites there doesn't seem to be a dramatic difference in cost between Poo Post and Westgate Labs. Single tests are £1 difference. There's a bigger difference on the annual bundle (£2 per test) and you get one more for Poo Post. The Equisal test is only available as part of a bundle on Poo Post, but is also available separately on Westgate's site.

I've never paid for a subscription from Westgate though, just bought an annual pack of tests. And I still get the email reminders to test, and free advice.

 

[Sossigpoker]

on the topic of westgates - see if there’s anyone local to you that does mobile egg counting! i had the westgates subscription, because i didn’t want to forget when i was supposed to be doing it, but the cost added up is eye watering. we have someone near us who comes out to do them at the yard, £6 a time. i paid £84 for a subscription for one horse, but this way costs me £48 a year for both of them. just need to order tapeworm tests this way!

alternatively, it’s a bit cheaper to buy the annual pack from westgates.

Why is it more expensive with Westgate to do the monthly subscription than their annual package? I know the subscription contains "reduction tests " but I don't actually know what those are !