Worm Count - confused?!

[Foxford]

We had a yard worm count last week, first for a while. Only a handful of horses were deemed as needing to be wormed but they were fairly spread in the population (across different fields). My horse had a low count, but to my mind even a low count should be wormed? Just wondered what others thoughts were on this. The whole yard will be done for tapeworm soon anyway but I might speak to the yard owner and just get a combined wormer anyway.

 

[wallykissmas]

I believed that under 200epg they dont need to be wormed, your yard owner should have the info, if not west gate labs are very helpful. Seems pointless to do a combined wormer if it's not needed as it builds resistance.

http://www.westgatelabs.co.uk/info-zone/your-results.htm

 

[Fruitcake]

Low counts don't need worming other than for tapeworm in autumn / spring. All should, however be done for enycsted larvae over winter using something like Panacur Guard (if there's no resistance) or Equest. (As this won't have shown up on a count). Agree with above- talk to a SQP at somewhere like Westgate or your local tack shop if you're unsure.

 

[Tnavas]

I'm in two minds about this egg count thing as it ONLY picks up round worm and adult horses usually don't have a lot of a problem with them.

Red worm is the one that can kill so easily and this can only be detected by a blood test.

This time of year you also need to worm for Bots.

To be honest coming into winter I would want to worm with a multi wormer to clear out all my horses parasites worms to ensure to my horse will be getting the best from her feed.

I now only worm three times a year but I always use a multi wormer.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

I'm in two minds about this egg count thing as it ONLY picks up round worm and adult horses usually don't have a lot of a problem with them.

Red worm is the one that can kill so easily and this can only be detected by a blood test.

This time of year you also need to worm for Bots.

To be honest coming into winter I would want to worm with a multi wormer to clear out all my horses parasites worms to ensure to my horse will be getting the best from her feed.

I now only worm three times a year but I always use a multi wormer.

FECs do detect strongyle (redworm) eggs, although not encysted redworm. They can also sometimes detect ascarid (roundworm, which are not usually a problem in adult horses) and tapeworm eggs.

 

[Tnavas]

FECs do detect strongyle (redworm) eggs, although not encysted redworm. They can also sometimes detect ascarid (roundworm, which are not usually a problem in adult horses) and tapeworm eggs.

I stand corrected - Strongyle eggs are visible but not encysted. I will have a little more faith in an FEC now.

 

[Foxford]

Thanks for all the replies, my preference would be to go for a multi that does tapeworm based on the above. It just seems strange to me that if you know the horse has a low burden then you leave it! Good point about bots and encysted too, will make sure I cover those bases.