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Molly Straebel
New Member
Username: Mollysue
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 17, 2006 - 6:05 pm: |   |
I am seeking advice regarding my mare. She is 7 years old and normally very willing and agreeable. Three weeks ago she began protesting under saddle--girthiness, ears pinned, reaching around to grab at my leg when I squeezed her sides lightly. She shows no such signs of distress on the ground or when groomed. Generally a good attitude, no diarrhea, good appetite, but poor hair coat.
We checked saddle fit, had a chiro session and ordered fecal exam/bloodwork. We suspected ulcers. Fecal came back as "many eggs" of strongyle type. I'm assuming this is the source of her problems. She is on my boarding stable's deworming schedule, but parasite management is not ideal.
I have read the background articles on this topic. Per my vet's advice, we started with a full dose of Panacur (no signs of intolerance noticed), and will follow in two weeks with a second full dose. A week after the first treatment, no changes under saddle.
I have a few questions....
1. With an infested horse such as this, at what point do you address the issue of encysted strongyle larvae? From what I have read, these are eradicated with a 5-day 2x dose of a benzimadazole (Panacur). If this should be done, at what stage with an infested horse?
2. Is it common for worms to cause the symptoms I describe under saddle, or could she have a secondary problem unrelated to worms?
3. I understand worms can cause ulcers. If my mare has ulcers as a result of the strongyles, will these ulcers "self heal" once we successfully eradicate the worms?
4. Would another fecal in a month or so show if our deworming program is working? Or is more time needed?
Thank you so much for advice. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 15394
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006 - 6:31 am: | |
Hello Molly,
1) Now.
2) No this would not be a common cause of this type behavior. I would look for signs of skin disease or irritation around the girth.
3) Strongyles are not a common cause of gastric ulceration. There are small ulcers left behind in the large bowel that heal themselves.
4) No. Though the fecal will indicate whether you have dealt with the adults in your horses bowel it will not reflect the most important problem: the larvae on the pasture.
DrO |
Molly Straebel
New Member
Username: Mollysue
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006 - 7:44 am: | |
Hi Dr. O,
Thank you for your help. I will proceed with the Panacur "power pack". I was concerned that this might expunge too many larvae, creating bowel problems.
My mare does not appear to have any sort of skin irritation. She was on a gram of bute per day for 8 months to treat right hock arthritis. That's one reason we suspected ulcers. We've since stopped the Bute (about a month ago) and she receives a Legend IV injection once per month. She does not appear lame. Her symptoms seem very abdominal related. It's very odd when I put my leg anywhere at or behind the girth on her stomach area, she will reach back and try and bite my leg! She has never exhibited these signs at all.
I assume with the poor pasture management at my barn (hay fed on the ground, manure not picked up, horses in and out of her pasture often), that you would recommend keeping her on daily pyrantel pellets once we get a handle on the strongyles. I'm working with the barn manager to try and improve field management!
I appreciate your help. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 15403
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 6:52 am: | |
Almost all horses in the northern hemisphere have poor looking coats right now as they finish shedding out there winter coat. Since you don't have poor doing or diarrhea as a sign and you have given a regular dewormer without problems, it is time to give larval therapy a shot. If she is heavily parasitized a reaction is possible so you should discuss any specific therapy with your vet who knows your particular situation better than I do.
Her girthyness is a sign that something is irritating her Molly. Episodic signs of discomfort only associated with while ridden is much more likely to be a skin, tack, or training problem than abdominal pain. Many of these horses are painful for up to a week then break with rain rot. You could try a week long course with anti-ulcer treatment to be sure.
As to the daily pyrantel this would be your best choice if resistance is not likely.
DrO |
