Tape Worm time!

[brigadier]

NOW is the best time to treat for tape worm but remember you need a double dose of strongid P (if this is your wormer of choice) for tape worm. Thats two tubes for the average horse!

[racaille]

Oooh thanks for reminding me - I'll swing by the vet and get whatever it is that is now required ...

[solomon]

Ours just had worm egg counts done.

[brigadier]

I used to use that method Sol and know it is accurate but it actually ended up costing me a lot more money and now I have four I need to use the most cost effective method. Also worm counts dont take into account tape worm I understand? So even when I was doing worm counts they still had to be wormed for tape worm, a double dose twice a year so please do check.

[haffyfan]

I think it can show it up if they have passed part of one. Is it tape worms you can blood test for?

[brigadier]

Dont know Haffy but I used to do that company (cant remember name) where you register and they analyse cout and advise what is best to use (it was part of livery contract) anyhow every count I had to use a different programme then tape wormers in July and Autumn, so I queried it and they told me counts dont analyse tape worm- its specifically for red wormso they advise tape worm control as well as all the other stuff. I got fed up of paying registration, then worm count then wormer. Decided to sort it myself and I probably spend on four what I spent on one plus i know all bases are covered.
I think the theory is great- only worm what you need but Basil obviously is susceptible as he has never not needed one, despite great management, so im beginning to think its horse related as well.

[haffyfan]

I'm inclined to agree with you brig since last time Murph counted 'no eggs seen' and Harry low at less than 150epg...they have never been different before as far as i can remember.

I think it works well for me because there's only the two of them and i can manage my field as i like etc with no comings or goings of other horses on a general basis and extremely limited contact with other equines in general. I use westgate for my counts and generally follow their recommended program although i don't always count as often as below

A sample targeted worming programme
- for healthy horses, kept at low risk from worms -
December

Worm for encysted redworm e.g. with Equest or Panacur Equine Guard (if no resistance present). Equest also treats bots. Equest Pramox also treats tapeworm

March

1 Worm count all horses. Worm any with a count of 200 + epg.
No need to worm any with low or clear counts.

June

2 Worm count as above

September

3 Worm count as above
Worm for tapeworm if not done already e.g. with Equitape or double pyrantel

December

Worm as for last December

March

Begin worm counts again

[haffyfan]

I also use verm x periodically in addition to above...this is just personal choice

[racaille]

Blimey I'm impressed by the science. Down here - and I must point out that my lovely vet is one of the accredited French team guys - we just rotate wormers. Judging by how fat (not bloated) my guys are, they don't have worms.

[brigadier]

Bit different for us Rac because of the grass and moist climate I think, cant see red worms surviving your hot sun. But it is a nightmare, and one expert doesnt always agree with another either which all adds to the mix! Back in t'old days they were given a bit of baccy to chew! Wish it were as easy as that!

[scattymare]

Egg counts won't show tape worm or encysted red worms. So even if you use this method you should still worm for tapeworm spring/summer and also erw (5 day Panacur or Equest are the only wormers that kill the encysted larvae plus Pramox which will also do tapeworm) in winter to prevent a mass emergence of adult red worm in the spring.
Tape worm can be blood tested for

[brigadier]

That reminds me why I finally stopped Scatty- they advised a worm count when the blighters would be encysted so the result wouldnt have shown anything and when I queried it they waffled, so I got fed up, honestly my worming programme now is much much more simple!

[scattymare]

Brig, sounds like you were using Intelligent Worming. YO contacted them when she got Flossy and they sent out so much gumph which to me was far more marketing tripe than beneficial worming plans.
I still fail to see how one small piece of dropping can show a clear result. Surely the worms don't neatly space their eggs evenly throughout the poo! Yes can give you an idea if you have a heavy burden but I wouldn't trust a low count. I got one done on P when he arrived which came back virtually clear. I wormed him anyway with Pramox!!