TAPEWORM (Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna & Anoplocephaloides mamillana)
The issue of tapeworm burden is certainly one we must consider at all stages of a horses life with perhaps the exception of the early months as foals are rarely infected in the first few months.
It is recommended and has become the norm to treat every six months as this is linked to the life cycle of the tapeworm parasite and traditionally this has been done spring and autumn but in reality it does not have to be at those times.
Tapeworms are an important and potentially very damaging parasite affecting the horse. They preferentially attach themselves to the junction of the small and large intestine the ileocaecal junction. Here, they can cause bowel irritation, intussusception (where one part of the intestine telescopes into another), rupture, or twisting of the intestine.
It is thought that tapeworm may be responsible for up to 20% of surgical colics. Tapeworms are present, to a greater or lesser extent, in the majority of horses.
Parts of the country with acidic soils (for example, heath land), which favour the survival of the intermediate host of the tapeworm (the forage or oribatid mite), tend to have the highest level of infection.
Recent studies have shown that far from being a seasonal problem, tapeworm infection occurs all year round. This is because the forage mite not only lives on pasture, but also survives perfectly well in hay and on bedding, For this reason, six- monthly dosing (at double the standard dose if Pyrantel based products are used) is an essential part of any worming programme when a tapeworm burden is suspected. Worm egg counts cannot determine the level of tapeworm burden for that a blood test is required
AppearanceTapeworms in horses are generally much shorter than dog or cat worms, they are flat, triangular and relatively short being approximately 8 cm long by about 1.5 cm wide. However the equine tapeworm grow up to 20cm long, white in colour. Rarer species can be up to 80cm long. They live in huge numbers attached to the gut wall at a natural narrowing of the gut (the ileocaecal junction).
Symptoms
Can cause colic, sometimes fatal, by blocking blood vessels. Current research estimates that over 20% of cases of spasmodic colic are related to tapeworm burden
Treatment
There is one predominant type of tapeworm in the UK Anoplocephala perfoliata which is controlled by Pyrantel (Strongid P or Pyratape P at twice the standard dose) the other 2 strains are not common but only controlled by a higher dose of praziquantel (as in Equimax and Equest Pramox but NOT Equitape).
SH Wetherald E-SQP http://www.wormers-direct.co.uk/
Friday, 11 February 2011
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Worming donkeys
There is a limited range of worming products available for worming donkeys on the UK market. Here is a list of those products currently licensed for donkey treatment and available from http://www.wormers-direct.co.uk
Brand Name ----------------Package Declaration
Panacur Equine Guard ------Horses and other Equines
Panacur Equine Granules ---Donkeys and Horses
Panacur Equine Paste -------Horses and Other Equines
Telmin Paste ----------------Donkeys and Horses
Telmin Granules ------------Donkeys and Horses
Eqvalan ---------------------Donkeys and Horses
Strongid P Granules ---------Donkeys and Horses
Strongid P Paste ------------Donkeys and Horses
Pyratape P -----------------Horses and Other Equines
As in the case of treating horses you must be competent to do so before administering animal medicines such as wormers to donkeys. The products selected for use should chosen on the same grounds as you would do so for other equines which means taking in all the factors involved and developing a worming strategy suitable to the environment and pertaining circumstances. Although the range of licensed products for donkeys is more limited than for the horse there is still a range which will enable you to plan over a longer period with out over reliance on any one chemical group whilst remembering that there are products in the above list that have different brand names but are in fact the same active ingredients and certain products will treat for a broader spectrum of parasites when used at higher doses. Here at www.wormers-direct.co.uk we are on hand to help in fine tuning or organising any such plan.
LUNGWORMS (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi)
Lungworms are white in colour and are between 6 and 10 cm in length. The lifecycle of lungworms is different to other nematodes as adults settle in the lungs rather than the intestine. Eggs are laid then travel up the trachea, are swallowed and passed out in the faeces. Further development then takes place on the pasture, infective larvae are swallowed by horses or donkeys to further develop into egg laying adults.
It has been remarked that a large percentage of donkeys carry lungworms some research claiming levels as low as 4%, some almost 100%. These are obviously dependent on circumstances where the data was gathered but general thinking seems to be that the actual figure is more like 50%. Donkeys often show no clinical signs of infestation and it is in donkeys where the parasite reaches full maturity. Donkeys do not always develop the symptomatic cough that is seen in horses but if horses are grazed along side donkeys then particular care must be taken to treat for lungworms accordingly with particular attention to foals as they can sustain permanent lung damage if infected
Eqvalan is the product of choice for lungworm treatment in donkeys although Telmin can also be used for this purpose if used at the higher dose of 15-20mg daily over 5 consecutive days but not within the first 4 months of pregnancy.
SH Wetherald E-SQP wormers-direct.co.uk Ltd
There is a limited range of worming products available for worming donkeys on the UK market. Here is a list of those products currently licensed for donkey treatment and available from http://www.wormers-direct.co.uk
Brand Name ----------------Package Declaration
Panacur Equine Guard ------Horses and other Equines
Panacur Equine Granules ---Donkeys and Horses
Panacur Equine Paste -------Horses and Other Equines
Telmin Paste ----------------Donkeys and Horses
Telmin Granules ------------Donkeys and Horses
Eqvalan ---------------------Donkeys and Horses
Strongid P Granules ---------Donkeys and Horses
Strongid P Paste ------------Donkeys and Horses
Pyratape P -----------------Horses and Other Equines
As in the case of treating horses you must be competent to do so before administering animal medicines such as wormers to donkeys. The products selected for use should chosen on the same grounds as you would do so for other equines which means taking in all the factors involved and developing a worming strategy suitable to the environment and pertaining circumstances. Although the range of licensed products for donkeys is more limited than for the horse there is still a range which will enable you to plan over a longer period with out over reliance on any one chemical group whilst remembering that there are products in the above list that have different brand names but are in fact the same active ingredients and certain products will treat for a broader spectrum of parasites when used at higher doses. Here at www.wormers-direct.co.uk we are on hand to help in fine tuning or organising any such plan.
LUNGWORMS (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi)
Lungworms are white in colour and are between 6 and 10 cm in length. The lifecycle of lungworms is different to other nematodes as adults settle in the lungs rather than the intestine. Eggs are laid then travel up the trachea, are swallowed and passed out in the faeces. Further development then takes place on the pasture, infective larvae are swallowed by horses or donkeys to further develop into egg laying adults.
It has been remarked that a large percentage of donkeys carry lungworms some research claiming levels as low as 4%, some almost 100%. These are obviously dependent on circumstances where the data was gathered but general thinking seems to be that the actual figure is more like 50%. Donkeys often show no clinical signs of infestation and it is in donkeys where the parasite reaches full maturity. Donkeys do not always develop the symptomatic cough that is seen in horses but if horses are grazed along side donkeys then particular care must be taken to treat for lungworms accordingly with particular attention to foals as they can sustain permanent lung damage if infected
Eqvalan is the product of choice for lungworm treatment in donkeys although Telmin can also be used for this purpose if used at the higher dose of 15-20mg daily over 5 consecutive days but not within the first 4 months of pregnancy.
SH Wetherald E-SQP wormers-direct.co.uk Ltd
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Winter Worming
Coming to a close of another month with the clocks going back this weekend. It may well be a very warm and sunny day here at wormers-direct in Leeds but I think winter is just around the corner.
We also have Bonfire night approaching with all the implications of that occasion for the owners of cats and dogs and of course horses so do take extra care when riding etc.
With regard to planning your winter worming of horses remember we are at hand at wormers-direct.co.uk to help with any questions you have regarding what to use and when. Right now many are treating for tapeworm. We can advise on the worming products that treat for encysted small redworm. If you have any questions about what to worm your horse with and when just contact us via the web site or pick up the phone and dial 0844 80 6070
We also have Bonfire night approaching with all the implications of that occasion for the owners of cats and dogs and of course horses so do take extra care when riding etc.
With regard to planning your winter worming of horses remember we are at hand at wormers-direct.co.uk to help with any questions you have regarding what to use and when. Right now many are treating for tapeworm. We can advise on the worming products that treat for encysted small redworm. If you have any questions about what to worm your horse with and when just contact us via the web site or pick up the phone and dial 0844 80 6070
Friday, 8 October 2010
Horse of the year show this October so plenty there for us all to enjoy. I have not got chance to visit this year but I am sure those that do will enjoy the spectacle. If you are going check out the horse worming companies as they will be able to help with any queries you may have. Here at wormers-direct.co.uk we have trained staff to help you with your worming planning and questions regarding equine worming. 0844 808 6070
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Worming horses for tapeworm
TAPEWORM (Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna & Anoplocephaloides mamillana)
As we move from summer to autumn it’s a good time to think about tape worm treatment for your horse.
Tapeworms are an important and potentially very damaging parasite affecting the horse. They preferentially attach themselves to the junction of the small and large intestine the ileocaecal junction. Here, they can cause bowel irritation, intussusception (where one part of the intestine telescopes into another), rupture, or twisting of the intestine.
It is thought that tapeworm may be responsible for up to 20% of surgical colics. Tapeworms are present, to a greater or lesser extent, in the majority of horses.
Parts of the country with acidic soils (for example, heath land), which favour the survival of the intermediate host of the tapeworm (the forage or oribatid mite), tend to have the highest level of infection.
Recent studies have shown that far from being a seasonal problem, tapeworm infection occurs all year round. This is because the forage mite not only lives on pasture, but also survives perfectly well in hay and on bedding, For this reason, six- monthly dosing is an essential port of any worming programme. Remember that if you select a Pyrantel based products then it will need to be used at double the standard dose.
If you require any help with your tape worming issues just check out our help pages at http://www.wormers-direct.co.uk
As we move from summer to autumn it’s a good time to think about tape worm treatment for your horse.
Tapeworms are an important and potentially very damaging parasite affecting the horse. They preferentially attach themselves to the junction of the small and large intestine the ileocaecal junction. Here, they can cause bowel irritation, intussusception (where one part of the intestine telescopes into another), rupture, or twisting of the intestine.
It is thought that tapeworm may be responsible for up to 20% of surgical colics. Tapeworms are present, to a greater or lesser extent, in the majority of horses.
Parts of the country with acidic soils (for example, heath land), which favour the survival of the intermediate host of the tapeworm (the forage or oribatid mite), tend to have the highest level of infection.
Recent studies have shown that far from being a seasonal problem, tapeworm infection occurs all year round. This is because the forage mite not only lives on pasture, but also survives perfectly well in hay and on bedding, For this reason, six- monthly dosing is an essential port of any worming programme. Remember that if you select a Pyrantel based products then it will need to be used at double the standard dose.
If you require any help with your tape worming issues just check out our help pages at http://www.wormers-direct.co.uk
Thursday, 8 July 2010
HEALTH & YOUNGSTOCK
Different chemicals work in different ways within the body of the dosed horse so extra thought needs to be given to such circumstances of age, general health condition, administration to mares, foals and stallions and also pasture management. There are many ways in which pasture management such as poo picking and field use can help in reducing the use of chemical wormers and so why not tell the experts about your particular circumstances and let them tailor a plan specifically for you.A critical time for parasite control for youngstock are the early months so take special care when treating foals ensure you select an ingredient that is suitable for use on foals and use that at the correct times.A common mistake when treating horses is under dosing so ascertain the weight of your horse as accurately as you can either by using a weight tape or even better a weigh bridge. Correct dosing is important, too little and the product will not work efficiently, to much could lead to resistance. There are brands on the market that now that treat up to 700kg in a single syringe which gives that little bit extra to play with when estimating the weight of your horses and remember we all lie about our weight so if in doubt err on the generous side.
Different chemicals work in different ways within the body of the dosed horse so extra thought needs to be given to such circumstances of age, general health condition, administration to mares, foals and stallions and also pasture management. There are many ways in which pasture management such as poo picking and field use can help in reducing the use of chemical wormers and so why not tell the experts about your particular circumstances and let them tailor a plan specifically for you.A critical time for parasite control for youngstock are the early months so take special care when treating foals ensure you select an ingredient that is suitable for use on foals and use that at the correct times.A common mistake when treating horses is under dosing so ascertain the weight of your horse as accurately as you can either by using a weight tape or even better a weigh bridge. Correct dosing is important, too little and the product will not work efficiently, to much could lead to resistance. There are brands on the market that now that treat up to 700kg in a single syringe which gives that little bit extra to play with when estimating the weight of your horses and remember we all lie about our weight so if in doubt err on the generous side.
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