Field Service Deworming Recommendations

*The following guidelines apply to adult horses greater than 3 years of age*

Fecal samples

We recommend annual fecals during the spring or fall, which are the seasons of highest parasite infection rates. Fecal testing should be performed at least 2 months after the last deworming (or 3 months after using moxidectin/quest).

• samples should contain no more than 1 or 2 fecal balls sealed in a ziploc bag. These samples remain viable for a few days at ambient temperature as long as the extra air is pushed from the bag before it's sealed. You may also refrigerate these samples for a few days.

Our clinicians can discuss the results with you to come up with a deworming strategy for the year. Below are our general guidelines for reducing the intestinal parasite load on your pastures and keeping your horse healthy.

Shedding Status: Please Note That "Shedding Status" Only Refers To The Amount Of Eggs From Strongyle-type Parasites, Which Are The Most Common Internal Parasitic Pathogen Of Horses.

Low Shedders (Fecal Eggs Counts ≤ 150 Epg)

1. Ivermectin In April
2. Ivermectin + Praziquantel In October (Equimaxx)

Moderate Shedders (Fecal Eggs Counts 151-500 Epg)

1. Ivermectin In April
   
2. Ivermectin In July
3. Moxidectin + Praziquantel In October (Quest Plus)
   

High Shedders* (Fecal Egg Counts > 500 Epg)

1. Ivermectin In January
2. Ivermectin In April
3. Ivermectin In July
4. Moxidectin+praziquantel In October (Quest Plus)
   

*Young Horses, Aged 1-3 Years, Should Be Considered "High Shedders" Until Their Immune Systems Fully Mature

Product information

• Praziquantel is the drug that kills tapeworms, and we recommend at least annual use in the fall.
• Do not use fenbendazole (Panacur, Powerpak, or Safeguard) or oxibendazole (Anthelcide) on adult horses unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Due to widespread resistance this product is no longer effective against strongyles.
• Do not use pyrantel pamoate (Strongid) on adult horses for strongyles unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian, also due to widespread resistance. Clinicians may occasionally recommend pyrantel to kill tapeworms or pinworms.
  

**If you wish to test the efficacy of any of the available products against strongyles on your farm, you can do a fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). This test should ideally be performed on multiple moderate or high shedders at one farm. The test involves taking a fecal sample and deworming with the chosen product on the same day, and then taking a second fecal sample 10-14 days later. The percent reduction of the strongyle eggs after deworming will allow us to determine whether there is resistance to that product in your farm's strongyle population.