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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

422.0. "Questions on Worming a New Horse" by --UnknownUser-- () Tue Aug 09 1988 17:25

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422.1just my 2 centsUSADEC::GILLTue Aug 09 1988 18:5444
    I would wait on the wormer until at least 5 weeks go by.  I too
    had an older horse that had not been wormed for at least 3 years.
    I had what seemed like barrels of big round, fat worms of all shapes
    and colors.  She had a worm coat, and before I got her had coliced
    three times.  The last so bad that she had no corneal reflex in
    her eyes.  It was truly a miracle that she survived.  The vet put
    her on a rigurous worming schedule of every 6 weeks with liquid
    Strongid T.  It smelled like banana cream.  Unfortunately the last
    dose was too strong and it burned her insides.  Delight smelled
    like banana cream in her breath, sweat, manure, everything.  Plus
    she droped about half of her body weight.  Enter Stephanie.  
    The effect of little or no worming is very dangerous.  You must
    realize that most all these worms migrate through the blood and
    tissues at various stages.  Delight was literally full of holes
    and scar tissue.  You worm with different wormers to prevent the
    worms from becoming resistant to the wormer.  Supposedly, with the
    Zicmetrin you don't have to rotate.  However, there has been some
    concern that we will be building super worms for the future.  I
    do rotate, even with the Ivermectin, using Strongid T double dose
    to take care of the tapeworms once a year.  
    
    As for shoeing at the same time as worming.  Only for convience.
    Like I schedule the dentist and the GYN at the same time every 6
    months. 
    
    One note.  Don't worm with Nega Bot wormer, EVER.  It has been linked
    with colic and founder. and DON'T USE FLY SPRAY ON THE DAY THAT
    YOU WORM!! Don't mix those chemicals.  Equacare Flysect is alright
    to use, but not those heavy duty chemical pythrerins (sp?) it can
    cause a founder situation.
    
    Teeth should be floated twice a year, Spring and Fall. 
    
    Finally, when in doubt read, read, read.  There are some very good
    books on the subject of horse care.  One good one "A Horse Around
    the House."  Little knowledge is a dangerous thing, know as much
    as you can by asking people in the field, especially those vets
    in equine hospitals such as Tufts and Rochester whose areas of
    specialty can be much more informative than a book or a laymens'
    opinion.  They are always happy to help you help your horse.
    
    Regards,
    stephanie
    
422.2\USADEC::GILLTue Aug 09 1988 19:0110
    Just to make one thing perfectly clear on the worming.  I don't
    use Ivermectin and a double dose of Stongid T. Lest anyone be confused.
    One time during my worming schedule I will double dose with Strongid
    - T to take care of the tape worms.  Tapes can be carried by a little
    mite that lives in grass, especially it seems on Candian hay.  My
    horse also has a worm count periodically to see how we are doing.
    So far for the past 2 years he has had a zero count.
    
    S.
    
422.3WORMING SCHEDULEEMASA2::NICKERSONTue Aug 09 1988 20:339
    Somewhere in the notes, and I can't find it now, thre is a worming
    schedule in here.  However, I have one at home which I will try
    to bring in tomorrow.
    The reason you rotate is you usually want a different chemical
    in each of the wormers so they don't become resistant.  Will get
    back to you tomorrow.
    
    GOOD LUCK
    
422.4worming/floating/shoeingMRMFG1::D_SMITHWed Aug 10 1988 14:0358
    One of the horses we just got approx. 4 months ago was infested
    with bloodworms. We had the vet (Dr. Robbins, Southboro) do a fecal 
    exame to find this out. The reason for the exame was we found the 
    prior owner only wormed 3 times a year (SHOES TWICE A YEAR/WHAT 
    BRUSHING?)!!!
                                                                          
    The vet recommended rather than double dose, to worm every 4 weeks for
    the next 12 to 16 weeks rotating wormers guided to towards bloodworms,
    then the 4 weeks after the last worming, exame again. If still found,
    she would either tube worm or recommend continueing every 4th week 
    followed by another exam. If negative, then resume a 6-8 week worming
    program with a checkup every 6 months or so.
    
    The reasoning behind this was these type of worms have a very long
    and complicated life cycle, in which they can only be killed in
    the first and fourth stage. While in the blood, they cannot be
    destroyed. The most affected stage is the fourth stage (adult).
    We had a fecal ckeck done a few months ago and she is negative now
    so I'm back to 6-8 weeks with no worries, although I put an extreme
    effert in breaking the cycle to begin with by removing any manure
    daily from the paddack, and rotate paddacks often.
                                            
    As for floating, one of my horses has not needed his teeth floated
    in over a year now. We had the vet check him in the spring and
    commented that there was no need to. The other has been every six
    months.  Each horse is an individual and this is one of the cases.
    It also depends on what they eat. If the paddack is sandy, the teeth
    will wear faster. Straw hay (common winter hay) causes a horse to chew 
    his food more than if he had fresh tender grasses.
    I have a friend who boards (yes I have a friend), and he says the 
    dentist comes in and does the whole barn (19 horses), whether they
    need it or not, every six months. To me, and my vet, if the horse 
    does not need it, then why do it. It costs a pretty peny for barn 
    calls and also, why cause premature teeth wear when a horse is eating 
    all day and doing just fine wearing them down himself (as long as the
    wear is even and not creating sharp edges). Again a question comes up,
    "who goes out a floats a wild stallions teeth/would you?". This
    is natures way of weeding out the weak so the strong can survive.
    
    The same goes for shoes. The average horse is shod every 
    six to eight weeks. In the winter, my horse was around every 14 
    weeks (no toe to trim, no shoe wear). Now during the hot weather,
    good quality hay, and 2 hours plus riding a day, I have yet to go 
    over 7 weeks (to much toe, no shoes left).
    
    Anyways, this is my feelings towards these subjects. It takes many
    months to determine just what your horses needs are
    (shoes/floating/feeding). I would follow the recommendations of
    a vet for worming though, based on their findings during an
    examination. Every vet has his/hers idea of an affective worming
    schedule and every program uses diff. wormers for diff. months. I found
    the only way to understand what all this ment was to read up on all
    the types of worms, learn there life cycles like what season, life
    span from egg to adult (stages) and how they can be broken, what active
    ingredient is most affective against each type and take it from there. 
    It's worked for me so far. I have derived a worming schedule from
    what I have learned and so far, my samples have came up negative, 
    therefore I'm sticking to it like glue untill proven otherwise. 
422.5USADEC::GILLWed Aug 10 1988 14:0923
    Your vet can set you up with a schedule.  Have a fecal check and
    that will tell your vet where your biggest problem lies.  I would
    rotate the Zimectrin anyway, no matter what the box says.  I stongely
    believe that like cockroaches, worms are here to stay.  They have
    managed quite will over the centuries to survive, often catoclysmic
    changes in environment ect. that have killed other species.  Although
    probably not in my life time, I will not participate in creating
    the super worm.  Anyway,  I don't believe that there is such a thing
    as the correct schedule, except carefully following your 8 week
    schedule, pasture rotation and maintenance.  My vet set up a schedule
    using Zimectrin (Ivermectin is the drug used in Zimectrin) Equvilan
    (which is really very similar to Zimectrin) Stongid -T, Panacur,
    and another which I can't remember.  These wormers have a different
    base drug in them which will kill worms.  Zimectrin is good in the
    mid summer (at least my vet likes to use it then) to kill worms
    in all their various stages.  
    
    As for the Stongid -T, I use two syringes with the doseage at a
    little over his body weight to kill tape worms.  Check with your
    vet.
    
    regards,
    stephanie
422.6VET:SEQUEL::GREGGWed Aug 10 1988 14:1414
    Hi Michele,
    
    Since you are boarding with many other horses I think you should
    ask your Vet on what type of wormer to use and how often to use
    it. Your Vet is your best friend when you are a new owner and as
    I very well know that this file helps out in many ways it is still
    best to get your Vet's oppinion before desiding on what/when to
    use a product or medication.
    
    Who is your Vet?  I have Paula Orcutt, she has helped me MANY times
    and she is always willing to talk and answer my crazy questions.
    
    Best of LUCK,
    _D_
422.7Just when I thought I had it (almost)figured out!NHL::SILVAI finally got a PONY of my OWNYThu Aug 11 1988 12:0323
    I, too, am a relative new horse owner...
    When I began my search for Strongid-T I was told that the -T stood
    for Tube Worming.  Now, I've heard about tube worming and wanted
    NO part of it.  So I purchased and administered the Strongid
    (regular?).  
    
    My question, after reading the previous notes is:
    
    Have I done any damage???  
    Is it as effective? 
    Should I use the -T the next time?  or 
    Keep with the schedule (the one also in this notes file from the 
    Nashoba Valley Vet. Hosp.)  and use -T at this time next year?
    
    Both my "babies" look healthy, eat well, are active, have had there
    yearly shots/exam, and worming on a regular basis by the previous
    owners.
    
    ANY help would be most appreciated!
    
    Thanks,
    Cheryl
     
422.8USADEC::GILLThu Aug 11 1988 13:409
    Tube worming done by a vet is a necessary evil.  I have it done
    twice a year with regular worming inbetween.  I have never heard
    of the T in Strongid T standing for tube worming, but...
    I would suggest having a fecal sample done on your horse at least
    twice a year to see how your maintenance plan is going.  Horses
    may look happy and active, but you don't want to be feeding worms.
    
    regards,
    
422.9CSC32::M_HOEPNERThu Aug 11 1988 15:1510
    According to Colorado State University and Iowa State Univeristy
    veterinary schools (and an article in the 1986 AVMA Journal) tube
    worming is NOT absolutely necessary.  They do recommend fecal samples
    twice a year to make sure the paste (or other oral wormers) are doing
    the job.  If the oral wormers aren't doing the job, THEN tube worm.
    
    Many practitioners still like their clients to tube worm twice a
    year.  An equal number agree with the university and journal reports
    listed above.
     
422.10TUBE WORMING - NOT NECESSARYSALEM::RATAYMon Aug 15 1988 13:415
    I agree with .12, I've had horses for at least 15 years and started
    out with the tube worming till I became more aware of the different
    worming possibilities.  At least for the past 12 I have never tubed
    and have had many negative test results.  Some vets recommend because
    it adds to your bill!
422.11N.V.V.H a good choicePBA::SILVAI finally got a PONY of my OWNYMon Aug 15 1988 17:1413
    Hi Michele,
    
    I use the Nashoba Valley Vet. Hosp. for my two "babies", too.
    They are very nice and don't mind answering questions (even those
    'silly' ones) over the phone.  I've also been following their worming
    schedule and can mail you a copy if you like.  I know that it's
    in this notesfile -someplace- but i also have it in a file.
    
    Are you near by?  My 2 are in Harvard.  Always glad to meet another
    neighbor with common interests.
    
    Cheryl
    
422.12Close Enough For A Visit!PBA::SILVAI finally got a PONY of my OWNYWed Aug 17 1988 12:1511
    Harvard (roughly speaking) is at the intersection of Rt. 2
    and Rt. 110.  
    
    Is her schedule much different?  I'm always interested in comparing
    that type of information.  Even if it does raise more questions than 
    answers, ==> which it usually does! 
    
    I am going to have a sample checked -just to know how they are
    REALLY doing...now if I can only figure out which pile belongs to
    who......