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NEMATODES

LARGE REDWORMS (Strongylus vulgaris)
Adult Large redworms worms vary in size between 1.5 and 5 cm. Large redworm was once the most important parasite affecting the horse because the migrating larval stage damage the lining of the arteries, particularly those supplying the gut.  However in the UK older horses have usually developed immunity due to the efficient use of equine wormers in this country. Large redworm infection is more generally a problem in younger horses. These worms migrate through and damage some of the the body's vital organs.

LARGE ROUNDWORMS / ASCARIDS (Parascaris equorum)
Large roundworm also known as ascarids are very long worms up to 40cms when mature and produce large numbers of tough coated adhesive eggs which stick any surrounding environment. They are white in colour. They can stick to the coat and udders of the mare and even to the walls and stable floors. The eggs have very thick shells and therefore can survive on pastures over the winter months. These worms are eventually coughed up by the horse and then renter the body to be re-circulated once m
ore. This complex lifecycle creates great potential for disease. Respiratory obstruction is common as a result of the presence of the larval stages in the lungs. Intestinal blockage and impaction colic is also common in foals due to the sheer size of the adult parasites. Their presence in the intestine can block the passage of part-digested food material. In addition, there is loss of vitamin A from intestinal chyme, which can retard growth and development.

HAIRWORMS (Trichostrongylus axei)
Adult hairworms are only about 7cms in length and so are very hard to see with the naked eye.  These worms are usually controlled by products containing Moxidectin or Ivermectin. They are unusual as they are also a parasite of sheep cattle and pigs. As the name suggests they live in the stomach where they feed on blood. The larvae then migrate via the bloodstream to various body tissues and mature on the intestine. Threadworm larvae can penetrate the mammary tissue and be transmitted to young suckling foals via the mothers milk.


STOMACH HAIRWORMS (Habronema muscae)
Stomach hairworms are  1-2.5cms in length and are long slender and white in colour. These worms are usually controlled by the worming programmes containing Moxidectin or Ivermectin but are unusual as they are also a parasite of sheep cattle and pigs. They develop into adults in the stomach where they feed on blood.  These worms are transmitted by flies landing on and ingested dung so fly control measures will help to reduce infections. They are also capable of remaining on and damaging the skin and causing "summer soreness".

PINWORMS (Oxyuris equi)
Pinworm burden is becoming an increasing problem for UK horse owners. Pinworm (Oxyuris equi) is not generally considered harmful but more of a nuisance and an irritant. The female can grow up to approximately 10cm in length and are white in colour. They reside in the large intestine and attach them selves to the intestinal wall to ingest the contents for food.
Adults produce eggs approximately 5 months after the initial infection which are found on the pasture, in faeces, contaminated water fences and walls.
Eggs are ingested by the horse and L3 larvae are released in the small intestine, they then migrate to the large intestine to develop into the mucosa to L4 larvae which then emerge and mature into adults. The female adults then migrate from the large intestine to the anus where they lay eggs in clumps on the perineal skin causing irritation around the anus leading to tail rubbing.

Active ingredients that treat for adult and pinworm larvae are Moxidectin,  Ivermectin, Febendazole and Mebendazole with Pyrantel treating adults only. Not all brands are licensed so care needs to be taken by checking the brand’s label.

Extra care should be taken in the stable environment to help reduce the risk of re-contamination from buckets, feed bowls, haynets and rugs etc. Do not share grooming brushes.  A thorough clean with a heavy duty disinfectant in these areas and most importantly the stable after removing all bedding will help and is always a good idea in areas of animal care and management.

In some circumstances it may be possible for your vet to prescribe special preparations or treatments.

LUNGWORMS (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi)
Lungworms are white in colour and are between 6 and 10 cm in length. The lifecycle of lungworms is different to other nematodes as adults settle in the lungs rather than the intestine. Eggs are laid then travel up the trachea, are swallowed and passed out in the faeces. Further development then takes place on the pasture, infective larvae are swallowed by horses or donkeys to further develop into egg laying adults.
It is extremely rare for lungworm larvae to develop to full maturity in horses as the horse is not a good host for that particular parasite.  Horses can be infected with lungworm but as they do not mature in to egg laying larvae in any numbers to sustain a population on the pastures.  Exceptions to this in horses can arise in very young or old horses and seriously depilated horses whose immune
systems are impaired.
It has been remarked that a large percentage of donkeys carry lungworms (more recent research is now disputing this with levels been quoted as low as 4%)  often showing no clinical signs of infestation and it is in donkeys where the parasite reaches full maturity.  Donkeys do not always develop the symptomatic cough that is seen in horses but if horses are grazed along side donkeys then particular care must be taken to treat for lungworms accordingly with particular attention to foals as they can sustain permanent lung damage if infected

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