Tapeworms

Rubytuesday · Postby **Rubytuesday** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:47 pm

Yearling has tapeworms, she has been dewormed with strongid P two weeks ago today. She has had diarreha since July (See Lawsonia Intercelluaris post for complete history)

Vet said to give her another week to see if there is a change in her diarreha.

Her manure is still the same as before, more like a cow on grass manure than a horse.

Has anyone dealt with this before? How long should I wait to see if she will ever get better?
I have started to treat her for ulcers as well thinking maybe she has them also with the amount of stress her system has been under.

Intrinsic Worth · Postby **Intrinsic Worth** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:18 pm

Pin Oak bought a nice yearling from the Keeneland Sales a few years back and the horse ended up colicky etc. and had diarrhea. Ended up he was full of tapeworms and died.

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:27 am

What have you tried to end the diarrhea, cow patties? We had a mare that the Bio-Sponge worked on...and this year a suckling that we used Fastrack Equine Gel. In both cases the diarrhea was gone in less than a week.

Have you done another fecal? You may need to power pack for the week and see if that helps. October is a great time to Powerpack.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:38 am

Kaolin is pretty good for stopping diarrhea. Fastrack is good for restoring gut bacteria.

You could also try a daily wormer, like Strongid-C 2X or Nu-Image Guardian. To kill tapeworms you need to start with a DOUBLE DOSE of Strongid, or one of the new Ivermectin/Praziquantel wormers.

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:52 am

Madelyn,

Are you using the Nu-Image on weanlings? I have been thinking about trying it but wasnt sure about results.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:02 am

I did and it is AWESOME. They just bloom.

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:08 am

Thanks..and sorry for hijacking this thread!

Rubytuesday · Postby **Rubytuesday** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:08 am

I doubled dosed her with Strongid 3 weeks ago and since then no change.
My vet never mentioned anything to stop the diarreha, I think we were both hoping that the dewormer would solve that problem but it sure doesn't look like it.

I am going to try her with the new Eqvalan Gold that has the praziquantel in it and hope for the best.
Should I double dose her with that as well?

Right now I have her on hay and beet pulp and nothing else.
She looks like an old horse that is on its last legs but hasn't stopped growing, just looks very starved.

Vet said not to give her grain.
Maybe I should turn her back out to pasture after I worm her again and see what happens? Who knows maybe something in the grass can turn this around

I can honestly say that this is the "shits" (yes pun intended)

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:24 am

Poor thing is getting dehydrated. Definitely no grain, and I wouldnt put her out on pasture..the grass will do nasty things to her digestive tract.
I would definitely start treating the diarrhea immediately. I would bio-sponge, fastrack and maybe even get Novasan (or something like that) from the vet...its a small bottle and expensive about $70 you mix with distilled water and give the shot...I think for 5 days. We have done that in extreme cases. I wouldnt worry about worms until you get the diarrhea under control. The double dose you gave a few weeks ago should have helped somewhat.
Good luck and please keep us posted.

ratherrapid · Postby **ratherrapid** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:12 pm

seems some serious vet advice required here. i'd hope the hay you're giving her is nutritious and that you're supplementing with vitamins and protein.
For me in this situation, my vet telling me to withhold grain a couple of weeks ago would hardly suffice to what's happening. of course, unknown how your vet is involved. this sounds like a university vet school situation. immediate verterinary intervention is how i'm taking your posts.

Intrinsic Worth · Postby **Intrinsic Worth** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:45 pm

Apparently my post wasn't clear enough.

The horse at Pin Oak had severe diarrhea and died from tapeworms. Get the horse to a vet that knows what he's talking about before it's too late.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:37 pm

You would NOT double the praziquantel. You COULD worm every 2nd day for a week and see if the worms are coming out in the stool.

ratherrapid · Postby **ratherrapid** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:40 pm

another solution might be to order a comprehensive vet manual that would contain treatment options, or, search on-line. i've never had or seen the problem, but recall a blurb here and there, many possible causes, and appropriate treatment "required".

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:47 pm

BTW it is more effective if you worm on an empty stomach. You might also give him electrolytes to help him get re-hydrated. If you can pinch his skin and it stays like that for a couple of seconds he might need, actually, an IV and Ringers.

Mood Swings · Postby **Mood Swings** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:54 pm

I would do another fecal to check the parasite status. Bio-sponge is good and so is Metronidazole. Metronidazole is a pretty cheap antibiotic and is often used to treat diarrhea. Probiotics wouldn't be a bad idea either. Good Luck