Discussion on Bots drive my horse to colic
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| Author |
Message |
    
Diane Edmonds
Member
Username: Scooter
Post Number: 401
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 2:24 pm: |   |
Hi Dr.O. is there anything that keeps bots away from horses? They are wormed with ivermectin 3 times yearly. Hank just coliced because the bots drive him insane. The other 3 don't seem bothered by them. He's always been like this, but is getting worse. Does anyone know of a way to keep them away? He isn't even rideable during bot "season" Thanks |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 16620
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 - 6:32 pm: | |
Many have found that even though they control bots in their population that bots still come around. I assume bots are strong fliers and therefore horses from nearby herds can plaque your horses. That said your deworming program is not consistent with what we recommend, see Care for Horses » Deworming & Parasite Control » Deworming Schedules. By understanding their life cycle you may find other management techniques that help, see Diseases of Horses » Colic and GI Diseases » Parasites and Worms » Bots (Gastrophilus spp) but if you do not see anything there that might help remember it behaves like other flies and for help with that see, Care for Horses » Management & Procedures » Controlling Houseflies and Biting Flies.
DrO |
Carol Buck
Member
Username: Cbuck894
Post Number: 10
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 4:50 pm: | |
I also have a question about bots. Our horses are wormed every 3 months, so just received their ivermectin September 1st. I have a constant fight trying to keep the bot fly eggs off of them. I'm sure some of them are being ingested. Since they are so bad, should I worm the horses again, or do I wait until December for their regular worming? I know Ivermectin is supposed to take care of bots but this year seems to be so much worse than normal for some reason. I don't know if cows attract them but we did have cows in the pasture next to ours this year, that could explain the huge population.
Carol |
Little King Ranch
Member
Username: Eoeo
Post Number: 284
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 7:04 pm: | |
The time to worm for bots is after the first heavy frost. That is, if you are in an area that has temperatures that go below freezing. EO |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 16814
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 10:17 pm: | |
Carol we suggest you review our deworming programs as what you are doing overall may not be adequare see Care for Horses » Deworming & Parasite Control » Overview of Deworming.
DrO |
