Apache says, “What?! I have worms?!”
Take it easy, pretty lady. It’s not that bad. At least you’re not infested with them.
A little over a week ago, I got the results back from Apache’s Fecal Egg Count Examination. And this is what the report said:
“Apache: Low Contaminator
- Strongyle 50 eggs per gram
Definition: Horses with egg counts less than 150 eggs per gram (EPG) are classified as Low Contaminators, and those with EPGs greater than 500 EPG are classified as High
Contaminators. The remainder of horses, with EPGs between 150 and 500 EPG, are classified as Moderate Contaminators.
-Counts between 200 and 300 are an indicator to de-worm the horse.
Fecal Egg Counts should be performed with horses > or = 3 years of age but only after a sufficient interval has elapsed since their last anthelmintic treatment; 6-8 weeks should be a sufficient interval after dewormers of the benzimidazole or pyrimidine classes, but a 10-12 week interval should be used after using Ivermectin or Moxidectin.
Apache says, “Well, cut to the chase. What does all this wormy business mean for me?”
Low contaminators should be treated with a large strongyle larvicide at intervals of 6 months.
In this area usually deworm in May with Ivermectin. Then deworm again in November with Moxidectin+Praziquantel. This should limit the transmission of Anoplocephala [the horse tapeworm]. Biannual administration of Ivermectin or Moxidectin also disrupts transmission of cyathostomes [small strongyle] for at least 2 months after treatment, so these measures are proposed as the sole control efforts for horses that are low contaminators.
Moderate contaminators receive one additional treatments of Benzimidazoles or Pyrantel to reduce cyathostome egg excretion during the main season of local transmission [May-November]. High contaminators would receive two additional treatments as described above during this time frame.”
Apache says, “Whew! That’s a relief! I can sleep better now, knowing that creepy worms aren’t invading my body”
And I say, “That $22.00 fecal test fee was money well spent!”
23 comments :
I agree. We do fecal tests every 6 months. So far, our vet says they have little or no egg counts at all. So, we haven't had to deworm Morgunn and Sugar.
Dan
We worm Stewy with Ivermectin too! It seems to work well. Great pictures of Apache! So cute. (:
~Lydia
Funny, we were just talking about worms yesterday. Apparently there is some evidence to suggest that since we evolved along with the worms, worms may be responsible for helping regulate some of our immune system functions. Scientists are studying hookworms in particular to see if they can learn about how they might suppress immune system reactions that cause allergies and asthma, which are less prevalent in countries where people tend to have worms. Hopefully they can figure out how to get the benefits of worms without having to have worms - because too many worms are NOT a good thing!
In our area people are moving towards doing the fecal tests on their livestock instead of just worming outright. But it's slow to get people to change, it's cheaper to just worm them on a schedule, but some people say the worms are becoming tolerant of the worming medicines because of overuse. Proper worming protocols get a lot of debate among my 4H/llama friends.
I've got an appt with the Vet in early May for fecals on the goats. I wish the creepy worms wouldn't infest our loved ones.
I just wormed every one here with out a fecal count. I do that twice a year, unless, there are problems. I keep note of the gum color, weight and slickness, if that makes any sense.
I am so glad you and Apache are the perfect match.
Well that is good news. Certainly better to be ahead of the game with worms, than behind.
Do you have any idea how well she 'worms'? My horse used to act like I was trying to stick a flame thrower in his mouth.
You take the BEST pictures.
Interesting that you will only be required to do two wormings a year. Around here, it's every six weeks, rotating wormer types, no matter what the infestation level is. Guess the worms just like us better (Louise rolls eyes.)
Good idea - that reminds me I need to buy some wormer!
That's way more informative than my test on Lostine. I got a letter in the mail that just said, "No worming required at this time."
Ironically, just the day before the letter arrived, all the horse had diarrhea, so I was running around worming them.
I do a TITER for strongyls but never thought about it for worms! I will do that. Did you do it through your vet???
See now won't you feel better you are not putting chemicals into your horse she doesn't need?
Thanks - more info than I ever needed to know LOL - but I loved the pics of Apache! she is such a great horse for you!
have a greaat weekend friend
Patrina <")>><
We just had our annual vaccination day a few days ago and talked to my vet about doing a fecal egg count test. I think we are considering it. It would be very interesting to find out how it comes out!
That's great that Apache is a low contaminator!
The lovely job of deworming, necessary evil!
so glad Apache isn't too wormy...
That's very interesting. A very low count, so Apache can rest assured she is not a 'Typhoid Marey' so to speak. ;-)
Great post and it confirms to me that I'm on the right track with my new regimen. $22.00? That's nice. Here is was $30.00 per horse. Still worth it though because its really good to know just what's going on in there.
How long have you been testing and doing the semi-annual worming?
Love the pictures of Apache.
Lisa, you rock. Your photos and captions made me LOL, especially the last one.
YAY for Apache having low counts!!
I thought I was the only person that didn't de-worm their horses regularly! It seems like in New England, everyone believes in Rottion Worming. Its also a lot cheaper to only de-worm when necessary!
You're such a great pet owner! :) Cute close-ups.
I've never done the fecal test, mainly because I always deworm before the vet comes out for shots. I do the Ivemectrin in the spring, then the daily Strongid C until the first freeze, then the Ivemectrin again. I sure would like to know if my program is working.
Great pictures of the beautiful girl, Gil and Poke are about due for the wormer too!
P.S.
That last "dozy" photo...precious!
I did my first Fecal count this past fall too..and Wa mare is a moderate sluffer.
Good info..the ver did not tell me as much..but i did have them prepack all the wormers and give me the dates too-on the boxes.
Good job..glad she is healthy!
Kac
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