Posted 2014-10-10 9:04 AM Subject: Worming- Fecal's, Power Packs, and Quest
Expert
Posts: 1611
Okay I was told by one vet that power packing was a waste of money and that moxidectin in quest had no resistance and to use it every 90 days and that would be fine.
Another vet recommends fecal checks that are pulled then sent off and spun down. He advised to only worm when needed.
A third vet recommended that I scoop a pill bottle size amount of manure and he would centrifuge it and put it on a slide and see parasites present. But he felt everyone needed to power pack in winter and alternate monthly worming with moxidectin, ivermectin, and praziquantel.
We got a horse from a rescue situation and he's come a long way as far as body condition. Treated for ulcers but he is just not blooming and it has been a year. Over the course of a year we were at different vets getting different things fixed on him and other horses. When i asked for advice on worming rotations the above was the advice I received.
I have been alternating Quest and Quest Plus for a year but i'm wondering if they might not need a power pack this winter to make sure everything is cleaned out.
Posted 2014-10-10 2:25 PM Subject: RE: Worming- Fecal's, Power Packs, and Quest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 501 Location: Oklahoma
I to am curious on this.. I have been getting conflicting information lately with regards to worming. I have always done the recommened schedule every 60 days of the a differnet wormer for a different worm per my vet.. now he's suggesting the fecal etc.
Posted 2014-10-10 2:32 PM Subject: RE: Worming- Fecal's, Power Packs, and Quest
I keep my change in my pockets
Posts: 2985 Location: MN
My vet hold me a couple years ago that it was going to be at least 7 years before a new wormer would be developed for horses. Worms are getting resistance to the dormers we use now and we should only worm as needed.
Posted 2014-10-10 2:35 PM Subject: RE: Worming- Fecal's, Power Packs, and Quest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
astreakinchic - 2014-10-10 10:04 AM Okay I was told by one vet that power packing was a waste of money and that moxidectin in quest had no resistance and to use it every 90 days and that would be fine. Another vet recommends fecal checks that are pulled then sent off and spun down. He advised to only worm when needed. A third vet recommended that I scoop a pill bottle size amount of manure and he would centrifuge it and put it on a slide and see parasites present. But he felt everyone needed to power pack in winter and alternate monthly worming with moxidectin, ivermectin, and praziquantel. We got a horse from a rescue situation and he's come a long way as far as body condition. Treated for ulcers but he is just not blooming and it has been a year. Over the course of a year we were at different vets getting different things fixed on him and other horses. When i asked for advice on worming rotations the above was the advice I received. I have been alternating Quest and Quest Plus for a year but i'm wondering if they might not need a power pack this winter to make sure everything is cleaned out. What is everyone's current protocol?
The vet who told you to use Quest every 90 days is contributing to the resistant parasites that are developing from overuse of dewormers.
"Another vet recommends fecal checks that are pulled then sent off and spun down. He advised to only worm when needed."
This is great advice, and does not contribute to the resistant parasite issue. Some parasites, however, cannot be seen on a fecal; like bots or encysted strongyles for example. So generally, even if fecals are clean, you want to make sure you cover any parasites that do not show on fecals at whicever time of the year they may be prevalent in your area. It varies by region.
Posted 2014-10-10 2:37 PM Subject: RE: Worming- Fecal's, Power Packs, and Quest
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Posts: 2457
Here's my 2 cents - All a fecal test is = counting the worm eggs (or worms) in the sample you give them. This is most often done by "floating" or dissolving the sample in a liquid and then centrifuging (spinning) the large bits down from the small bits. Then removing the soupy top stuff to look for the eggs/worms and count them under a microscope. Often they can also be identified too.
If you chose to worm every _insert arbitrary amount of time here_ with the same wormer, you will build resistance in the worms that your horse constantly is coming into contact with. If you change up the active ingredient in your womer every time you worm you "should" not build up a resistance as fast. Here's where it gets tricky - no matter how often you worm a horse, eventually the worms will either build a resistance or already have to the products you are utilizing.
I worm after a fecal in the spring and in the fall. (worms change, etc) I try to identify what my horses are carrying (if I can) and then treat accordingly.
If you feel your horse is not utilizing his feed efficiently (hence the not blooming comment) - there could be a host of reasons. Start with a fecal, then look at teeth, and it is not unheard of for horses to need another round of ulcer treatments. Talk to the vet about nutrition too.
Worming- Fecal's, Power Packs, and Quest
