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  Discussion on Neckthread worms
Author Message
Member:
cgiaco

Posted on Saturday, Jul 7, 2012 - 10:12 pm:

I am borrowing a friends horse who has been diagnosed with neckthread worms. We are in California and our vets here say they generally don't have to deal with this because its more of a hot areas kind of issue. He has been dosed the wormer and is currently being wormed monthly. He was just wormed on Wed. I picked him up and he has now rubbed new sores on his face and opened the old sores on his neck and side. My MAJOR question is am I exposing my horses to this if I keep this horse at my place? Should I not be taking him to gymkhana's, board facilities etc.? Since this is not common around here its very hard to get information. Second, he is going to break these sores open after every worming because he is re-acting the ones that die? Thanks. Cindy
Member:
juliem

Posted on Saturday, Jul 7, 2012 - 10:50 pm:

I've had a lot of discussion about this with people whose horses rubbed their manes out, etc. Equimectin is labeled for threadworms. The very unscientific anecdotal consensus seems to be a double dose (by weight) followed by another double dose in two weeks. Be prepared for the itching to get more intense after the initial worming. OK, now Dr. O can take away my keyboard!
Member:
cgiaco

Posted on Sunday, Jul 8, 2012 - 9:38 pm:

Thanks Julie, That is what I have gotten from all the stuff that I have read as well. I am concerned about the other horses exposure. What is other peoples general feeling on that?
Member:
cgiaco

Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2012 - 4:55 pm:

Also, there are so many schools of thought on how to keep this horse comfortable and usable. He has been getting Ivermec. once a month since this started. I just purchased MTG to put on the open sores and hopefully make him more comfortable but what else can I do to get him comfortable and help lesson the breakouts? Thanks!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2012 - 5:07 pm:

Hello Cindy,
How was the diagnosis made? Prior to the use of ivermectin almost all horses at least in the SE USA had onchocerciasis and very few had symptoms from it. Those who developed hypersensitivity (allergies) to the microfilaria were the problem horses. Now that ivermectin and moxidectin are routinely use the incidence is much lower.

If this horse does have onchocerciasis he will be a source of contagion to your horse if you also have biting flies. The frequent use of ivermectin as described in the article associated with this discussion page is your best way to keep the microfilaria count down and try to limit infectivity.

If this is a allergic reaction, antihistamines may help but corticosteriods may be required. See the article HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Culicoides Hypersensitivity: Sweet & Queensland Itch for more on the treatment of allergic pruritis.
DrO
Member:
cgiaco

Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2012 - 9:16 pm:

I am not sure how a diagnosis was made. I just know that when he does get wormed, a couple of days later he starts itching really bad. On my horses, I just wormed them with a safeguard about 3/4 weeks ago, should I worm them with Ivermec in two weeks from now at a regular dose and do Ivermec again 6 weeks after that as a preventative? and is it ok to us Ivermec on a weanling? (I normally use Ivermec every other worming and I worm every 6 to 8 weeks)
Thanks! Cindy
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2012 - 4:06 pm:

This is a strange coincidence, but I decided to do a 5 day Powerpak with Panacur on my horse. day 1 was very uneventful, day two I noticed strange bumps along the crest of his neck. Day 3 lumps are still there.

He has had some sort of bumps between his legs that I originally thought were from fly bites. They have responded somewhat to treatment with zinc oxide, but after almost 2 months are still there.

I am wondering if this can be neck threadworms and if so should I stop the panacur and start with a double dose of ivermectin?

He is on day 4 of Panacur ( has not been treated today 7/10), seems to not be having any problems good appetite, peeing and pooping fine.

He was wormed 6 weeks ago with Biomectrin.

I started the powerpack because he was rubbing his tail and beginning to act really itchy.

Thanks
Rachelle
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 10, 2012 - 6:37 pm:

Hello Cindy,
Not being able to examine your horses I cannot make any specific recommendations. For advice on dealing with hypersensitivity to Onchocercha microfilaria see the article. I know of no reason that there would not be a problem using Safeguard and a ivermectin product within 2 weeks of each other, but there is no research on this subject. I would personally use it this way on my own horses in this manner it there was a good indication for it. As for the use of ivermectin in various ages and types of horses see HorseAdvice.com » Treatments and Medications for Horses » Dewormers (Anthelminics) » Ivermectin.
DrO
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