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5
EQUINE MATTERS
EQU INE WORMING
Veterinary surgeon
Liz Bennett
XLEquine practice
Larkmead Vets
Practical
equine worming
The worms we are concerned
about are:
●
Small strongyles (small redworms or
cyathostomins)
(Figure 1)
– the encysted
larval stage of this worm hibernates in the
lining of the large intestine and can cause
problems when they emerge.
●
Large strongyles (large redworms) – these
are not so much of a problem these days
as they are easily killed by wormers.
●
Tapeworms – these can cause severe
colic and as eggs only shed intermittently
in the faeces can be difficult to detect.
●
Roundworms
(Figure 2)
– these are more
of an issue in foals as older horses
develop immunity.
●
Pinworm – this worm lays eggs
(Figure 3)
around your horse’s bottom causing
severe itching.
Resistance to equine wormers is an increasing problem and blanket treating
your horses is no longer considered acceptable. In fact trying to achieve a
parasite free horse should not be your aim these days as there are potential
benefits to having a low level worm burden. Not only that but if you don’t
need to worm your horse so frequently you will save on the pennies too!
A high worm burden can cause signs such as a dull coat, poor performance,
weight loss, colic, diarrhoea and even death. It is important to get it right.
Figure 1 – Small redworm burden in faeces
Liz Bennett BVM&S MRCVS,
Larkmead Vets
Figure 3 – Pinworm eggs seen under the
microscope after a sticky tape sample was
taken from around the anus
Figure 2 – A large roundworm burden in a
foal with colic