“Weight loss, stunting, poor hair growth, potbelly appearance, poor appetite and depression can be due to a heavy load of worms using up a great deal of the energy that these young horses need to grow. Fecal egg counts should be done in foals starting at 3-4 months of age. Fecal eggs counts are important for foals so that the owner knows what adult worms are present and how heavily infected the foals are.
The priority for treatment should be the roundworms. One must approach deworming foals with caution because if there are a large number of adult roundworms present colic can occur following deworming due to an impaction and even intestinal rupture. This problem appears to be more common if Ivermectin is used than Benzimidazole.
The reason for this is thought to be that Ivermectin kills the worms all at once, whereas Benzimidazoles only paralyses them and the worms are passed over a longer period of time, so the impaction is avoided.
Benzimidazoles also appear to be more effective against roundworms due to resistance that has developed over the years to Ivermectin.
Strongyles also are common in foals and if found to be present by the fecal egg count should be treated. To ensure the roundworms have been successfully treated a fecal egg count test could be repeated. I recommend leaving a two-week period after administration of an effective dose of benzimidazole before moving on to treatment of strongyle worms with Ivermectin.
Strongyloides westeri is a small worm that also can be found in foals at a very early age. These worms can cause diarrhea however, most foals get rid them on their own without treatment and generally have no ill effects from this worm. Ivermectin does seem to eliminate them, however treatment is not recommended unless there are signs that warrant treatment.”
The equine fecal egg count test (F.E.C.T.) is quick and easy to accomplish and sampling kits can be purchased online and manure samples mailed in for testing. Based on the report the horse owner can target their deworming treatment and administer just what is necessary for worm control without subjecting the horse to added risks of over or under medicating. A simple retest two to three weeks after deworming will confirm the efficacy of the treatment, and provide valuable insight into any dewormer resistant worm populations present as well as secure a baseline for future worm control programs.
Reprinted with permission from Horsemen’s Laboratory Inc., Mahomet, IL.
About Horsemen’s Laboratory: Established in 1993 by John Byrd D.V.M., an experienced lifelong horseman and a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. As an equine medicine practitioner in California for 13 years, Dr. Byrd served as ex-officio member of the board of directors of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association where he also served as the organization’s official sales veterinarian. In addition, Dr. Byrd frequently officiated, as veterinarian for horse shows sponsored by the management of Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California. Dr. Byrd’s extensive experience with horses led him to observe how a horse’s health could impact performance leading to the founding of the specialist lab for equine fecal worm egg counts. Please visit https://www.horsemenslab.com/ for more information.
About Nikki Alvin-Smith: International and national published freelance writer and photographer in such world renowned publications such as The Chronicle of the Horse, Horse and Hound, Dressage and CT, Warmbloods Today, The Horseman’s Yankee Pedlar, Reiter, The Equine Journal, Spur, Hoofprints, Horsin’ Around, Horses All, Field & Stream, Western Horse and Gun, Pony Quarterly, Horses All Canada, Catskill Horse to name a few. Ghostwriting, blog services, PR/Marketing copy either direct with manufacturer or for agencies, copy editing and editor services also available. Nikki also produces catalog copy, white papers, e-books, corporate brochures and advertising copy for international corporations and PR/Marketing for celebrities.
As a Brit who has called the America home for the past 34 years, Nikki brings a unique perspective to the equestrian world. Nikki is also an accomplished Grand Prix dressage trainer/competitor, competing at international Grand Prix level to scores over 72% and is a highly sought clinician offering clinics worldwide. She has been a horse breeder/importer of warmblood and Baroque breeds for more than 25 years. Together with her husband Paul who is also a Grand Prix trainer, they run a private dressage breeding operation and training yard in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York. Please visit http://www.NikkiAlvinSmithStudio.com to learn more.