and may not show any signs at all,” Calum says. “In fact, horses with some of the highest worm burdens I’ve ever
VET VIBES
Worming: What you should know
seen have been fat, shiny, and healthylooking.” For this reason, it’s recommended that for an accurate diagnosis you invest in a faecal egg count (FEC). Taking a FEC sample is as simple as collecting fresh manure from your horse. It doesn’t need to be warm, but it does need to have some moisture in it. Your vet will mix the manure with a solution that causes the
Without proper management, worm burdens can lead to health problems. RACHEL ROAN spoke to Dr Calum Paltridge to find out more.
M
worm eggs to float to the surface. The next step is to calculate approximately how many eggs there are per gram of manure, which indicates the worm burden. “A faecal count is really
any horse owners are
To answer your worm-related questions,
the only reliable method to determine
divided about how regularly
I spoke to veterinarian Dr Calum
how many worms a horse has in their
to worm. Some worm by the
Paltridge. Calum has practiced for
system,” Calum explains. “A lot of
book, others wait for signs their horse
nearly 10 years and has specialised as
people underestimate the value of a
is wormy, while others only worm when
an equine veterinarian since 2019.
FEC, which can be a very useful tool.”
they remember to get around to it.
Most faecal egg counts will contain While many people believe that physical
strongyle eggs. Small strongyles (also
But how often should you worm? How
signs such as a pot belly, poor coat, or
known as cyathostomes) are the most
do you tell if your horse needs it? And
rubbed tail are signs of a wormy horse,
common type of worm, and most horses
how does your horse acquire worms in
that’s far from accurate. “A lot of horses
have been infected with them at some
the first place?
can have a really high worm burden
point in their life.
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