tapeworm infestation

[Vicki1986]

My pony (and several others from same field) had a medium tapeworm count in the spring. She is following the yard worming prog, field is harrowed not poo picked.

She moved fields whilst this one was harrowed and rested - but not actually rested properly as has been used for a few horses who are inbetween herds or on individual.

This autumn her count as come in low>medium just prior to worming for tape.

I'm moving off this yard in 4 weeks onto my own. I have no doubt that this issue is down to poor field management/maintenance. But my question is what should I do now.
She's been wormed for tape yesterday. I am moving in 4 weeks to my own place, I will be poo picking my field. Should I worm her again when I move her, like I would have to if moving to a new livery yard?
Apart from the colic risk are there any other problems my mare might face having had a low/med count this year??

any advice appreciated.

 

[brightmount]

Was it definitely a tapeworm count, as this is only picked up by a blood test, and when I had it done I wasn't given a low/medium result, just the result that antibodies were present for tapeworm?

If you wormed with Pramox it stays in the system for 13 weeks providing ongoing protection.

Regarding the risks, if it was a fecal egg count you had done, they do go up and down and provided the horse is wormed regularly there are usually no problems. If it was a blood test though and definitely tapeworm, it can damage the gut. My horse had several bouts of spasmodic colic around the time she had a positive ELISA test. I got through this with Coligone powder which has a very soothing effect on the gut and I highly recommend it.

 

[Vicki1986]

def blood test for tape worm, the result given on letter as a figure but vet generalises to low/med/high, not sure of exact test results as just rec'd on text that its med>low, will get results in post soon hopefully. did fecal count earlier in year and all clear.

she's never, ever been colicy, but was just a bit concerned that shes extremely moody lately (she is a moody mare though) so was wondering if anything could be sore etc

 

[Aru]

What wormer did you use?im assuming something with praziquantel
...if she has been wormed then she should be alright in her new home.if your concerned about resistance wait 14 days(i think must check that number for tapeworms) to allow the treatment to run its course then run another test to check the levels.

If it was a faecal count you had done id consider getting an ELIZA ran if your concerned.
Faecal egg counts dont always pick up accurate tapeworm burdens...and an ELIZA should give a fair indication of the number of worms present...

A medium burden wouldnt be considered very unusual this time of year if there isnt an accurate worming program so dont be very worried now that shes been treated it should be fine...
The problem with tapeworms is they are becoming more and more of a problem as more of the "normal" worms of the gut are being completely eradicated as opposed to just kept to low levels by the drug programs they leave a vacumn for a new parasite and the tapeworms have steped up to take advantage of that.
Problems with tapeworm occur when there are high amounts of them in the gut.They tend to cluster together and can block the intestine.
In a medium level infection,where it is a sudden increase of levels,the chances of this happening are fairly low as they havent had the chance to congregate and block the "tubing".
They dont seem to cause major problems apart from obstuction.
Basicly in spite of my rambling reply i wouldnt be overly concerned about a medium egg count when treatment has already taken place.