Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Horse Health - Equine Worms and Fecal Egg Count

April 24th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

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Equine Worms are a real and distressing problem for any horse. They can cause serious damage horse in a fairly short space of time so you should be vigilant in checking for any signs of infection. One of the most useful tools in any parasite control program is the fecal egg count, that is a microscopic examination of fresh manure for parasite eggs. This simple test allows your veterinarian to find out which parasites are present and how bad the infection is. A sample of 2 or 3 fresh fecal balls is usually enough to check the egg count. If you have several horses stabled or pastured together you should collect samples from at least two or three to check if there is likely to be infection in all of the group. Fecal egg counts before treatment identify the kinds of parasites and the level of infection. Samples checked following treatment should be 7-10 days after treatment.

Effective parasite management includes regular deworming, fecal egg counts, timing of treatment, and rotating products to minimize resistance. Pyrantel pamoate is effective against tapeworms, and many veterinarians recommend giving it once a year at high dose for effective removal of tapeworms, but you should always consult your own vet before administering any treatment. High fecal egg counts of more than 500 eggs per gram might be taken to suggest that the interval between deworming is too long.

However, fecal counts are not always a reliable way to assess parasite infestation. Some stages of parasites are not found in feces. Negative fecal tests should not be interpreted to mean that there are no longer any larvae in your horse. Damage inflicted by parasites may cause intestinal disturbances long after they have been eliminated so you need to keep a watch on your horse particularly if the infestation has been heavy and he may need ongoing treatment to help him recover fully.