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Tapeworm is very common in UK horses1,2 and can be
implicated in a number of health-related problems
in horses, ranging from loss of condition to diarrhoea
and colic3. Unfortunately a faecal worm egg count
(FWEC) won’t detect a tapeworm burden and not
all wormers treat it effectively, so it’s advisable
to give tapeworm special consideration. The worming
experts at Pfizer Animal Health explain the best way
to keep your horse free from the potential dangers.
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For more information speak to your
vet, SQP or visit
www.wormingyourhorse.info |
| Tapeworms
are white, flattened, segmented worms. They are usually
found at the junction of the small and large intestine
in your horse, using suckers to attach themselves
to the gut wall. They feed by directly absorbing food
from lumen of the intestine and can grow up to 20cm
in length as a mature adult.
Research has shown that around 2 out 3 horses1,2 in
the UK have some level of tapeworm infestation and
that a horse infected with tapeworm is 26 times more
likely to develop ileal impaction colic than a non-infected
horse, and is 8 times more likely to experience spasmodic
colic3.
Tapeworm eggs are passed in segments in the faeces
by infected horses and eaten by forage mites on the
pasture. The horse inadvertently grazes the mites,
which are then digested in the intestine and an immature
tapeworm released. The tapeworm matures inside the
horse’s gut into the segmented adult worm, which
attaches to the gut lining and proceeds to shed segments
of its body that contain eggs. The segments are broken
down during gut transit and the eggs are passed out
of the horse in faeces within 48 hours and the cycle
begins again. Although the timings are not completely
understood, the life-cycle takes between four and
six months to complete.
Tapeworm will not show up in a standard FWEC. The
best way to test for them is a tapeworm antibody test,
which can be carried out by your vet. The level of
antibody is used to identify the level of exposure
to tapeworm and associated risk of tapeworm related
disease.
The accepted method for tapeworm control is to break
the cycle by using a proven wormer on a strategic
basis. Ben Gaskell, Pfizer’s veterinary advisor
explains: “Treatment for tapeworm is usually
carried out every six months, in the spring and autumn,
and involves either a double-dose of a pyrantel-based
wormer or a wormer containing Praziquantel, such as
EQUEST PRAMOX®. Praziquantel is now regarded as
offering an effective4 and single dose treatment for
the control of equine tapeworms.”
Take control of worm control by picking up your free
EQUEST worming guide from your SQP retailer or vet.
1Lyon S et al, Veterinary
Record (1995) 147, 456-457, 2Owen RH et al, Veterinary
Record (1998) 123, 562-563, 3 Proudman CJ Journal
of Equine Veterinary Science (2003) 23 (1) 6-9, 4
Proudman CJ et al Veterinary Record (1995) 137, 45-49
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