Worm count results

benson21

benson21

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 December 2009
Messages
2,861
Visit site
Donovans worm count results have come back as 500 eggs per gram, so he has got to be wormed. We have had him for 2 years, wormed regularly with all of the others, field is poo picked regularly, so how come he has got a high enough count to be treated, but the others are fine?
 
I have never really thought much about it, just worm him when the time is right. but they were doing an offer at the vets, so went with that. So, what causes worms? Like I say, we poo pick regularly, and none of the others who have had worm counts need treating, so I am just interested why he has fallen foul to them.
 
The yard I am on we do the worm count & everytime without fail my haffy comes back with worms, my 3 are in the field together poo picked daily & the other 2 always come back clear. Most horses on the yard come back fine, but just the odd few that always have them.

I asked the question why does he always have them & was told it can be caused if they are not wormed properly as youngsters.
 
How many times have you done a worm count on the horses at your yard? Just a one-off count can sometimes give a false impression. It often takes 2/3 counts over a year or so, to get the true picture of what's going on in their guts! I think it depends on whether the horse happens to be shedding worm eggs in that particular day/ pooing, is that right?
 
Benson21 do you change chemical group when worming?
Count ivermectin and moxidectin as one group
Perhaps choose eg Strongid P a Pyrantel Embonate wormer if you have mainly used ivermectin group previously and do the 5 day Panacur Equine Guard mid winter

Oh and to add--do make sure you know his bodyweight
 
I think its equimax/eraquell worming we have been using. When I spoke to their sales team to ask what we need to change to she told me there was never a need to change again, that there year pack covered everything, and could be used constantly. it did seem a bit strange at the time, but thats what we have been doing, this was dons first worm count, the others in his field have had about 4 or 4 done now, and has never shown that they needed worming.
 
Well there's a good reason to get independent advice. Those are good products but do not cover encysted redworm. If you use their products constantly that will be an awful lot of worming. Each time you worm the worms are exposed to the product again making it more and more likely that resistance will develop. There is already some ivermectin resistance and these are ivermectin wormers.
It sounds as though most of the horses will not need all those doses and one of them probably does. Why keep worming those who don't need it?
The BVA say 'Think twice before prescribing/using wormers' in all grazing animals.
 
benson21 said:
Donovans worm count results have come back as 500 eggs per gram, so he has got to be wormed. We have had him for 2 years, wormed regularly with all of the others, field is poo picked regularly, so how come he has got a high enough count to be treated, but the others are fine?
Click to expand...

Has he been anywhere else, such as to shows or other yards? When I do the worm counts, they all come as zero except for the ones that have been to shows, or the stud etc.
 
Now thats a good point, one I didnt think about! he has been to a couple of county shows in the last 2 - 3 months, so I guess he could of picked them up from there.
 
Wagtail said:
Has he been anywhere else, such as to shows or other yards? When I do the worm counts, they all come as zero except for the ones that have been to shows, or the stud etc.
Click to expand...

Ours were the opposite way round last time... the majority came back 0 or "below 50". The two ponies who never leave the yard came back as 400 and 500. My two who are off the yard regularly (though I never allow them to eat grass away from home) were both fine.

Benson, I really don't think you should be stressing about it. Just treat with whatever your vet recommends, keep the horse in for a few days and then I'd think about getting him moved to a different (clean/ rested) field.
 
Mine have just come back today and are stupidly high. 700epg and 1000epg!! I can't believe it as they are both wormed regularly, poo pick etc. Does however explain why my TB is dropping weight as his was the 1000epg result.
 
OP,borderreiver is correct,you are not worming for encysted small redworms,so you need to use Equest,Equest pramox or a 5day course of Panacur over the winter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top