Parasite control

South Willamette Veterinary Clinic
The mild damp climate of the Willamette Valley makes ideal conditions for equine parasite development and infestation. Other factors contributing to parasite infestation in our horses include age (foals and geriatrics are more susceptible), crowded conditions, short pastures, and manure handling and disposal. All of these factors are equally important to parasite control as deworming products. There are three accepted methods for parasite control in horses: 1) STRATEGIC DEWORMING Involves identifying horses that are persistent shedders of parasite eggs. These individuals are dewormed more frequently than horses that have more inherent immunity and lower egg counts. This program helps:  Reduce the amount and frequency of deworming  Control drug resistant parasite populations  Protect pastures from parasite contamination This program is started by having your vet perform a fecal egg count:  If a horse has unknown history and a positive fecal deworm with moxydectin/ praziquantel (Quest Plus) then re check fecal in 16 weeks  If horse is in poor condition, first deworm with pyrantel (Strongid P) and re check  Another option is to purge deworm for 5 days with Panacur Fecal egg count rechecks should be performed two months after administration of Strongid or Panacur, three months after ivermectin, and four months after Quest (moxydectin) If the fecal egg count in eggs per gram (EPG) is:  <200- deworm two times per year after consultation with veterinarian  >500- deworm four to six times a year *Foals are especially susceptible to parasites and should be dewormed monthly until one year of age. *Horses should be dewormed twice per year with products that include praziquantel to control tapeworms. *Show horses should have zero fecal egg counts or must be dewormed. 2) INTERVAL DEWORMING Deworming your horse by rotating types of dewormers every six - eight weeks. By rotating the class of dewormer it can prevent worm populations from becoming resistant. January: Class- Bendazole (Panacur, Anthelcide, etc.) March: Class- Ivermetin/ Moxydectin+ Praziquantel (Equimax, Quest Plus) May: Class- Pyrantel (Strongid) July: Class- Ivermectin/ Moxydectin (Equell, Quest) September: Fendbendazole (Panacur Powerpac) November: Class- Ivermectin+ Praziquantel (Equimax) 3) DAILY DEWORMING Deworming your horse daily provides them with a low dose of pyrantel. This medicine does not kill them but prevents immature worms from developing. The daily dewormer Strongid 2X is the best method for eliminating tapeworms. Horses on daily dewormer still need to be treated with semiannual ivermectin or moxydectin to eliminate bots. Daily deworming has great advantages for foals to protect them from any parasite infestations. A common method of utilizing daily deworming is to maintain horses on Strongid 2X during the grazing months and to interval deworm during winter using moxydectin and/ or ivermectin + praziquantel.

Source: http://www.swvetclinic.com/shop/images/Parasite_Control_updated_2013.pdf