Worm count

Randonneuse

Randonneuse

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Hi,

I got a sample for a worm count last Tuesday for my pony, sent it straight away on the Tuesday afternoon in 1st Class and still haven't heard from Abbey diagnostic.
Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get the results via email please?
I did a worm count with Westgate labs before and received the results 2 days later!
I used Abbey diagnostic this time as they are so much cheaper.

Thanks :-)
 
Just a word of warning about the worm counts, I sent one away for my horse and pony a couple of years ago. It was a very swift process and the counts were low/non existence and I was advised to not worm until the autumn for tapeworm. (I wasn't surprised by the results as I only have the horse and pony on the land and I poo pick daily). However, when I did worm I was horrified to see lots of live red worms in their droppings. Apparently these worm counts cannot detect encysted worms. I now don't use worm counts and instead follow a regular worming programme.
 
We sent off for a worm count a month or so ago with Abbey Diagnostic and the results were within a few days. Give them a ring if you haven't heard
 
monkeymad said:
Just a word of warning about the worm counts, I sent one away for my horse and pony a couple of years ago. It was a very swift process and the counts were low/non existence and I was advised to not worm until the autumn for tapeworm. (I wasn't surprised by the results as I only have the horse and pony on the land and I poo pick daily). However, when I did worm I was horrified to see lots of live red worms in their droppings. Apparently these worm counts cannot detect encysted worms. I now don't use worm counts and instead follow a regular worming programme.
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Thank you for your advice. I know they don't detect red worms and this is why I wormed my pony with Equest pramox last November as suggested by Westgate Labs (I did a worm count last August with no eggs found)
 
Abbey Diagnostics take up to 5 working days for the results (one of the reasons they are cheaper). We use them as we do not have a rush for the results... we time our programme to fit this in.
Worm counts are a voluble tool but as mentioned they do not pick up encysted worms or tapeworm (unless the tapeworm shred their eggs when the sample is taken). For horses that are new to the programme I would recommend that you worm with a double dose of Strongid P the autumn and spring and Pramox in the winter for the first year with counts done before you worm plus one count in the summer to give you an idea of the worm burden. Depending on the results you can then work out what is best for your horse.

The best way to keep your horse worm free is clearing the paddocks twice weekly where possible, resting them for 3 months to break the cycle and also making sure the stable is kept clean with all feed away from the soiled area and ensuring that if your horse eats their bed you give them a clean area off the floor for them to munch on. Take a hay net when travelling so they do not eat from unknown fields and even better try and cross graze at home with sheep or cattle!

I believe chemicals do have a place in controlling worms but as an annual prevention rather than a regular routine, after clear or low counts our yard now worm counts with Pramox just before Christmas and has the 3 counts for the rest of the year.
 
The worm count company I use clearly state in their literature that worm counts don't show either encysted redworms or tapeworm. I assume most of the more well known names of companies offering this service would be the same. It's important that people read everything thoroughly when going the worm count route as it doesn't mean no worming. You will always still need to worm for the above 2 worms at specific times of year and also dependent on what your horse's individual count shows. It's also as the worm companies say, sometimes good to chat options through with your vet. There's loads of info out there, though worming options, when and if and what to worm seem to have got very complicated for the lay person over the last few years. I'm in a worm count programme and going well so far.
 
My pony is doing well as no eggs have been found in his samples so far, hopefully he won't have any when I get the results! :-)
We poo pick the field (he shares it with 2 mares) and he lives out 24/7. (Cows are in the fields when horses are not)
As I said I wormed him last November and if the worm count result comes back with no eggs found this time as well I won't have to worm him before the Autumn.
 
Abbey are my much preferred company, and, allowing for the samples to arrive, I get my results within 48 hours every time.
 
Randonneuse said:
Thank you for your advice. I know they don't detect red worms and this is why I wormed my pony with Equest pramox last November as suggested by Westgate Labs (I did a worm count last August with no eggs found)
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just had results back for my pony and they DID detect small redworm.. (suggested Equest pramox)
 
I use Westgate and am always amazed at the speed with which I get the results so good job Borderreiver :-)
 
Borderreiver said:
I can't speak for anyone else but Westgate is my company.
We pride ourselves on testing and reporting on the day the samples are received and nearly always meet the target, often working over to do so. Our staff are fantastic, very dedicated and all horsey people so they understand. Sometimes the post delays samples unfortunately even when sent first class.

Our 4count tests are only £7.25 each, including all the qualified advice you need and a host of other extras as we try to keep the service at it's best. Maybe you can save a pound elsewhere but it's still very good value at that price I think. We work hard for our living!
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Thanks for your message, I didn't know about the 4count tests which is a lot cheaper than paying for one at a time! :-)
 
I suppose when there are 62 samples in our group it may take Abbey longer to process... but we are happy with the service and of course the savings ;)
 
Borderreiver said:
I can't speak for anyone else but Westgate is my company.
We pride ourselves on testing and reporting on the day the samples are received and nearly always meet the target, often working over to do so. Our staff are fantastic, very dedicated and all horsey people so they understand. Sometimes the post delays samples unfortunately even when sent first class.

Our 4count tests are only £7.25 each, including all the qualified advice you need and a host of other extras as we try to keep the service at it's best. Maybe you can save a pound elsewhere but it's still very good value at that price I think. We work hard for our living!
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I did a worm count last year with a local firm - 800epg and they recommended a wormer but I just did one with westgate - very speedy , worms down to 50epg but no further advice about tape or red worms , so i'm a bit disapointed as the advice to me is almost more important than the count:(
 
The advice is here, just for the asking, give us an email or ring. Not everyone wants advice but we are always here if you need it. You are correct that it is a very important part of the process, hence why we are always updating our qualifications and keeping up to date.
 
Tbh I don't worm count, perfer just to worm. I can see the benifit to worm counts if you can get away without worming but if you end up worm count and than paramox on top that makes worming expensive.
 
Borderreiver we use your service on a regular basis and because we muck pick every day and follow good paddock management etc and we always have -50 results.

As such i want to cut my worming down from Promax twice per year for tapes and e/redworm to once per year as it is a very strong drug.

What month would be the best month to worm with Pramox if I only give it once per year ??

Thanks in advance for the advice :-)
 
paddy irish said:
I did a worm count last year with a local firm - 800epg and they recommended a wormer but I just did one with westgate - very speedy , worms down to 50epg but no further advice about tape or red worms , so i'm a bit disapointed as the advice to me is almost more important than the count:(
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I got really good advice from Westgate last year about what wormer I needed to use for my pony in the Autumn for red worms and tape worm.(even if results of sample was no eggs found) -I sent them an email to get some advice and replied very quickly!-
I was happy with them, just wanted to try Abbey diagnostic as they are cheaper...
 
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