Avoiding parasite problems now and in the future By Dr Corrine Austin, Austin Davis Biologics


Worm Control Practices


Best practice worm control has received a lot of coverage in recent years with the availability of a saliva test for tapeworm diagnosis and more recently a blood test for small redworm (including encysted larval phases) which complement routine faecal egg count testing. In addition, an expert panel of veterinarians and parasitologists prepared guidelines for UK vets in 2019 on worm control, which highlighted the importance of testing before resorting to the use of dewormers. This practice, oſten termed ‘diagnostic-led worm control’, leads owners to only administer dewormers when infections are diagnosed, and treatment is really needed. Gone are the days of routinely administering dewormers to every horse and hoping for the best. That strategy is out-dated as it has caused widespread drug resistance in worms - meaning that worms are able to survive the killing effects of dewormers and remain in place aſter treatment.


We are oſten told these facts, but what do they really mean? This article compares the effects of diagnostic-led worm control and routine treatment programmes. Whilst routine treatment programmes provide worms with regular exposure to deworming drugs, some yards may limit the use of dewormers by simply using them less frequently, so the effect of this practice is also included.


The following illustrations demonstrate the effect of different worm control practices on grazing as well as on the horses in the herd. The red horse in each figure represents a horse with a worm burden in need of deworming. It is clear from these illustrations that diagnostic-led worm control is essential for reducing the risk of drug resistant worms and effective long-term worm control.


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THE SPRING SPECIAL 2020


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