colic and worming ?

[trackgal]

My 5-yr-old draft cross colicked this morning, he had a 101 temp. had the vet out did the oil banamine, my vet asked me about my worming program, I have been alittle laxed on it coming out of winter, my horses are not on grass, and my paddocks are kept meticulously, I thought he may have colicked from the acorns that started to fall, but could he have had a "parasitic" colic? from lack of worming? we also have been having a heat wave here on L.I. 95 or better, can anyone suggest a good worming program? does anyone use "strongid C" I heard it doesn't work well after a while, Thanks.

[yukidragon]

The best method that I have found and is suggested by all vets I have asked, is a rotation method, every two months starting at 2weeks old, of all types. Ivermectin, Strongid, Fenbendazole, Moxidectin, pyrantel. And to rotate in twice a year one of the newer brands that contains anti-tapeworm, like Equimax or Zimectrin Gold, etc. That way what one wormer type doesn't get another will and you don't run the risk of any worms developing resistence to one type or another from overuse.

[mikec]

That's a really informative posting Yukidragon, especially for us novices, & I wish someone had mentioned that method to me sooner. Came back from vacation to find out our 5 mo. old weanling had a case of roundworm. She's been religiously on only Zimectrin from day one & after speaking to a few vet's in the area ( including our own ) not one of them suggested what you have here. Sounds like a plan to me !

[madelyn]

The rotation method is a good one.. I have a few thoughts to add. I have a large number of horses at any given time (25-45) so my methods may differ and mine have inherent cost control built in.

High heat kills the larvae in the fields. Winter worming is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT -- to the point of religion. Larvae are freeze-proof.

Pyrantel Pamoate is very safe and effective for foals/babies. In the multi horse tube (Exodus brand, which is also apple-flavored) it is easier to manage dosage and one tube will worm 4 or 5 babies, depending on size of the foals.

Fenbendazole is something of a miracle drug -- it is terrific for horses who have a very heavy load (Safeguard). It also has a very palliative effect on the gastro-intestinal system and combined with a course of SMZ's can be pretty effective on ulcers while it is killing the little beasties plaguing the horse. I buy the big 290gm tube and have the metal dispensing gun (onetime purchase, $11). Six clicks is about right for an adult horse. This is just GREAT for those times when you have a horse whose body weight is GREATER than the maximum in a single dose (ie: 1250lbs).

Ivermectin is a very broad spectrum wormer, and is used at least four times per year on all my stock, but not on early term pregnant mares (after 60 days in foal seems okay).

Fall is tapeworm killing time, and I usually hit them with a praziquantel/ivermectin product in October.

Moxidectin has not been proven more effective than any other wormer on the market, and has been proven fatal in some cases -- I never use the stuff.

I'm sorry, I'm not as familiar with particular brand names; I pay much less attention to those than I do to the active ingredients. Generic ivermectin is $2.99 a tube; I need to keep my costs to an average of around $18 per horse per year. We worm about every six weeks.

[ragsdaj1]

http://www.pbshorsehealth.com/cgi-local ... ?E+scstore

This is the rotation schedule I use. I just had a road apple tested by my vet and this rotation is working for me in Arkansas.

January/February July/August use the same products so I use Anthelicide once and Safe Guard once to change the active ingredient.

March/April September/October I use Equimax (claims safe for pregnant mares) once and then an Ivermetin paste. I also have some Quest but I have read some interesting claims that give rise to some concern. I have one more dosage of Quest I will use, but will change to an Ivermectin product after more because I don't think there is a more horrible tasting product for the horse. My horses hate this stuff and it does make worming them the next time more difficult. Reminds me of "the stink face" thread but only with tongues hanging out, coughing and hacking.

May/June November/December all use the same active ingredient so I use a cheaper multidose exodus product.

I use a daily wormer only if the horse is diagnosed with having worms. I had purchased two yearlings and both were up-to-date on everything......not. Vet explained to me that horses in a smaller paddock area are best kept on daily wormers. If they are out in large pasture then the paste products are best. I am sure everyone has an opinion, that was his.


I have found countrysupply.com to be a good purchasing place for wormers unless you live in Missouri where they then charge sales tax.

JonR

[skeenan]

The best method that I have found and is suggested by all vets I have asked, is a rotation method, every two months starting at 2weeks old, of all types. Ivermectin, Strongid, Fenbendazole, Moxidectin, pyrantel. And to rotate in twice a year one of the newer brands that contains anti-tapeworm, like Equimax or Zimectrin Gold, etc. That way what one wormer type doesn't get another will and you don't run the risk of any worms developing resistence to one type or another from overuse.

Country Supply, I believe, sells a year-round kit of different wormers that they've put together for that purpose... for what it's worth...
I think they may even outline a schedule of which one to give when...

I end up doing that inadvertently, as I buy what's on sale when I see a good deal...

OK, I had to look & found it:
http://www.horse.com/products/sku-BBK11__dept-20.html

[yukidragon]

Thanks for the link.
I'll check it out.