Horse Worm Faecal Egg Count
IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT YOUR HORSES HEALTH
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR VET.
Purchase a worm count kit here
A worm count is really a worm egg count
(known as a faecal egg count). A small sample of dung is examined in
the laboratory to find out how many worm eggs are present
Low Medium or High?
The aim is to keep the number low. A count of less than 200 eggs per
gram is a low count. Between 200 and 1200 e.p.g. is a medium count,
and above that level the count is considered high.
A worm count will help you to monitor the situation inside your
horse.
Of course it is impossible to know the level of worm burden carried
by an individual without this check. Not only could your horse be
carrying large numbers of worms, but he could also be contaminating
the pasture by passing out large numbers of infective eggs, so
worsening the problem.
A worm count will give you peace of mind over your worm control
measures. Alternatively you will be able to deal with any problem in
a knowledgeable way.
It is important to realise the uses and limitations of a worm count
before taking the decision to reduce your worming programme.
An initial test will determine the level of adult, egg laying,
parasites present at that time. It will not show immature or
encysted worms so you should treat the result with caution. You will
feel much more confident after a series of counts when a picture of
your horses' internal health begins to emerge.
Bear in mind the worming history and management of your horse. Are
droppings cleared from the paddock? Is the horse kept in his own
field with the same friends? Are all the horses wormed together? All
these considerations must be taken into account to determine the
level of threat from parasites.
If you then have consistently clear or low counts, you are probably
in a good position to reduce your worming.
Don't forget about tapeworm! You will need to worm for tapeworm,
unless a blood test, taken by your vet, shows that there are none
present.
Wormers-direct can organise a worm count
on your behalf via Westgate Laboratories Ltd to whom we are indebted
for the above concise article.
