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HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Worms, Deworming, Parasite Control » Deworming Schedules » |
Discussion on Worming for horses and ponies of various ages | |
Author | Message |
New Member: pattie88 |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007 - 10:25 am: I currently have two ponies and two horses that I can't seem to get anyone to agree on what the proper worming schedule should be.The two ponies and one of the horses are boarded on less than perfect pasture (we have been having a bad DrOught). There are horses coming and going all of the time. My other horse is field boarded with a friend on @2 acres of decent pasture. She is @22 and in good shape. I don't use her for more than trail riding. Pony #1 is @20 years old and in very good condition. He is still used for shows in the pre-short stirrup divisions. Pony #2 He is 6 years old and is also does shows but at higher levels of jumping. Horse #3 He is 8 years old and also does shows. I am currently worming every 3 months rotating the type medicine. After reading your article, it seems that this may not be the best protection for my small gang. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have only been an equine companion for @2 years and am still learning. |
Member: juliem |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007 - 10:02 pm: Well, this one is easy to answer--read the article on deworming and schedules and you will see what you need to do! You just follow the sound, scientific advice in the article. It doesn't sound as if your program is sufficient. I would not worry about what those who are giving you different opinions. You now have a resource that is proven, up to date and all written out for you to follow! Aren't you glad you joined? Welcome, Julie |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Thursday, Oct 25, 2007 - 7:33 am: Welcome Pattie,Julie is right, we suggest you follow the schedule in the article on deworming schedules. If you would like to learn more about the reasoning behind the recommendations and why you should not be doing what you are doing study Horse Care » Worms, Deworming, Parasite Control » Overview of Deworming. DrO |
Member: cpacer |
Posted on Thursday, Oct 25, 2007 - 10:38 am: DrO, is it possible to use your program without the Moxidectin year and only alternate the other 2 years or something in it's place?I only ask because I want the best worming program for my horses but my regular vet doesn't feel Moxidectin is worth the risk so I haven't switched(she says there are enough alternatives not to use it). Since she's the person I'd call if there was an emergency I feel inclined to take her advice. She's suggested doing the 5-day Pancur Powerpac in in place of one of our regular doses. What are your thoughts? |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Thursday, Oct 25, 2007 - 12:11 pm: From a practical standpoint, as long as well timed fecals are negative you are doing enough, for more on this see Horse Care » Worms, Deworming, Parasite Control » Overview of Deworming. I am worried about the conjectural problem of resistance to ivermectin and the very real possibility of resistence to daily strongid when used too frequently. We do not know how much pressure it will take under the situation you describe to create those problems.While I certainly understand your concerns and agree that the final word should be your vet, I do not understand the concerns of the veterinarian. Using the information in the article on Moxidectin discuss with him what are the dangers of its use and how do they compare with the problem of cyathastomiasis, Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Weight Loss in Horses » Larval Cyathostominosis)? Note from the article this problem occurred in horses where routine use of the next best dewormers, I presume similar to those recommended by your veterinarian, were used. DrO |
Member: frances |
Posted on Friday, Oct 26, 2007 - 8:19 am: Hi cp. I was a bit nervous the first time (years ago) I ordered moxidectin dewormers, particularly as I choose and order dewormers for all 18 horses in our barn, not just my own.However, since I had (and have) every confidence in DrO's recommendations, and since our horses had all had a good year of ivermectin beforehand, I went ahead and have been alternating ivermectin and moxidectin annually ever since. (The daily Strongid is not really an option for us.) I'm glad to report that there have been absolutely zero problems. I do believe that problems would only occur due to die-off in cases where very effective dewormers, such as both ivermectin and moxidectin, are used on horses with a pre-existing heavy infestation. Of course it's really difficult to go against your vet's advice. Which alternatives does she recommend? Any apart from the Panacur Power Pack? I think there has been a fairly recent piece of research indicating that the latter is not effective against encysted inhibited worms after all. Is that right DrO? |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Friday, Oct 26, 2007 - 9:42 am: Yes, a recent paper found a population of small strongyles that were resistant to the high dose multiple day fenbendazole treatment. However other papers have found populations that were sensitive so it is not an all or nothing thing. I would expect populatios frequently exposed to the treatment to develop resistance.DrO |