All generic forms of ivermectin have been recalled over the past two or three years. They are completely ineffective; in the words of my much-loved Dr. Bob, "You'd be better off spitting in your horse's mouth than using that stuff." So if you bought that $1 ivermectin, don't waste your time. Stick to the name brands like Equimax or Zimectrin.
Also, never give ivermectin in the late summer (July/August); at this time, if horses are infected with parasites, there is a type that hatches out and migrates through the body. If you give ivermectin at this time, it will kill these hatchlings and cause very nasty pustuly reactions. Ew.
While on the subject of worms, Dr. Bob also mentioned that Panacur has an added bonus of boosting the immune system and the PowerPac can be given at any time of the year. Ask your vet if they sell the liquid in bulk -- you can buy enough to dose 5 horses for about $140. That's a lot cheaper than spending about $80 on a single horse's worth!
I could have done without the picture. My imagination is just fine.
ReplyDeleteI recently read two articles (one in Horse Illustrated and one in Horse & Rider) discussing the resistance issues with all wormers. The articles both stated that fecal egg counts should be done, if the number is high enough the horse should be wormed, then another fecal egg count to see if it's working. Doesn't that sound like fun?
ReplyDeleteWhat's the deal with daily wormer - the kind that looks like a supplement? Is that worth it at all?
ReplyDeleteI agree with lifeshighway - the picture was really more than I needed.... ewwwww
Poop collection. I'm considering it.
ReplyDeleteIt may take a lot of considering.
You know it just makes you crave spaghetti...
ReplyDeleteSP, resistance is definitely a problem. If you have the ability to do testing, it does save money in the long run. This is nearly impossible in a boarding situation though. But for those of you who keep horses at home, look into it!
I don't know anything about daily dewormers, molly, sorry. It's on my list of "things I want to look into" but it's way down the list, being non critical.
EW EW EW I will not be eating spaghetti for a very long time now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've never put a lot of thought into worming - my BO goes out with 60 tubes of wormer every two or three months and does it for us - but now I may have to read up on it more.... especially the daily stuff.
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ReplyDeleteSorry, too many typos in my original comment :)
ReplyDeleteUgh, wormer. I hates it! I did NOT know that about the ivermectin (both the recalls & timing). You probably saved me a frantic call to the vet when my big pony has pustuley things all over! LOL, knowing me I'd think he had smallpox or something :-) Paranoid much??
Wait, could "nasty pustuley things" appear similar to a mild case of fungus around the rump and lower belly? We had that late in September, but could it have been the same thing?
ReplyDeleteJen, haha about horse smallpox, you think like me!
ReplyDeleteSP, I am not sure about that. Dr. Bob gave me so much info my brain was scrambling to keep up. I think he said that it would be on the belly, but I don't think it would be on the rump. And it didn't sound like it would be mild crusties, sounded pretty nasty.
molly, if your BO chooses to do rotational deworming (which is what I do), it should be done every other month. Unless you do testing to confirm that you can go to longer intervals.
ReplyDeleteYes, could have done without the picture. It brought me back to my Zoology days, where we poured over Platyhelmenthes, Nematodes, Annelidas, etc. Eeeewies.
ReplyDeleteI've been recently learning a lot about dewormers, as well. I am particulary intrigued with feeding daily feed-grade diatomaceous earth. My local feed store guy told me that one of the vets who contributes to Equus is one of the experts, so I am looking into it.
I was also recently told that you don't need to deworm when it has been consistently 90 degrees and above, because the worms can not reproduce in such heat (???).
I gave Mac CW daily dewormer from SmartPak -- but, you also HAVE to deworm twice a year, either with ivermectin/praziquantel (Equimaxx) or moxidectin/praziquantel (Quest Plus).
Above 90 degrees? Well, it's 100 degrees inside a horse's body, so I'm not sure I buy that one. DE does work on a lot of things, I'd be interested in learning more about its efficacy in regards to internal parasites!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I constantly try to read up on worming info, but there's definitely conflicting information out there. I didn't know about not giving Ivermectin in July/Aug so THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteLove PowerPacs. I bought mine in bulk from SmartPak, and Lily literally gobbled hers up. I have the oddest horse. She must be the only horse to want to be dewormed. (I'm not complaining!)
Ahahahha! We need new Lily updates!
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard the same thing on worming in the summer. Worms are much more sensitive to heat than cold, so here in NC it is now 'not recommended' to worm through the summer, then do fecal egg count at the beginning of fall to determine each horses parasite load, if they have one...
ReplyDeleteI know, I've been terrible! I hate winter riding, though, being stuck in the indoor. So we did nothing but light hacks and walks through the snow. Now we're getting serious again and I'll update much more frequently!
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