The Piedmont Equine Practice now recommends deworming horses on a conservative schedule that is based on performing Fecal Egg Counts (FEC). The change in protocol is due to the rising concern for parasite resistance to our current dewormers and based on numerous scientific research studies.
“Low Shedder” Deworming Schedule
(under 200 eggs per gram on Fecal Egg Count)
| March 1 |
Beginning of worm control cycle * Perform a fecal egg count on each horse. * Use QUEST (Moxidectin) QUEST is an ideal dewormer for spring when encysted small strongyles (strongyles in the larval stage) typically emerge. QUEST effectively treats and controls encysted small strongyles in a single dose. In a recent study, QUEST was also nearly twice as effective in reducing egg counts as a five dose treatment of fenbendazole. |
| July | No treatments are needed over summer months due to low worm burden at the start of the season. Parasites do not thrive in hot, dry conditions. |
|
September 1
_____________________ January 1 |
* Perform a fecal egg count on each horse. * Treat all horses regardless of the FEC results(entering heavy parasite season).* Use QUEST PLUS (Moxidectin and Praziquantel) QUEST® PLUS is the ideal deworming choice for late fall administration as it not only kills bots but contains an additional active ingredient – praziquantel – that specifically targets tapeworms. Tapeworm treatment is recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) once a year, in the late fall or early winter after tapeworm transmission ends due to cold weather.
_____________________________________ Use Ivermectin to kill bots and other parasites |
Deworming Schedule for:
“Moderate Shedders“(200-500 eggs per gram on Fecal Egg Count) and
“High Shedders” (500+ eggs per gram on Fecal Egg Count)
| March 1 |
Beginning of worm control cycle * Perform a fecal egg count on each horse. * Use QUEST (Moxidectin) QUEST is an ideal dewormer for spring when encysted small strongyles (strongyles in the larval stage) typically emerge. QUEST effectively treats and controls encysted small strongyles in a single dose. In a recent study, QUEST was also nearly twice as effective in reducing egg counts as a five dose treatment of fenbendazole. |
| June 1 | Strongid paste, dose by weight. Repeat FEC 14 days after treatment to be sure the worm burden has decreased. |
| August | same as June |
| September 1 | * Perform a fecal egg count on each horse. * Treat all horses regardless of the FEC results(entering heavy parasite season).* Use QUEST PLUS (Moxidectin and Praziquantel) QUEST® PLUS is the ideal deworming choice for late fall administration as it not only kills bots but contains an additional active ingredient – praziquantel – that specifically targets tapeworms. Tapeworm treatment is recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) once a year, in the late fall or early winter after tapeworm transmission ends due to cold weather.
|
| November 1 | No treatment needed. |
| January 1 | Ivermectin |
* New arrivals to the herd with an unknown deworming history should be treated with Quest. Follow the next day with a single dose of Ivermectin.
* Horses visiting for less than 6 weeks can be treated with a single dose of Ivermectin.
* When bringing fecal balls to the clinic for the FEC, one ball per horse is sufficient.
Deworming Schedule For Foals (under 12 months old):
* Dose at least 25% higher than the foal’s estimated body weight.
* Do not deworm until at least 60 days of age.
* Do not use Quest or Ivermectin until at least 6 months of age due to resistance concerns.
* Schedule fecal exams at 6 and 12 months of age. Deworming strategy may be altered due to high fecal egg count.
| 2 months | Anthelcide |
| 4 months | Panacur |
| 6 months | Strongid and perform fecal egg count |
| 8 months | Anthelcide |
| 10 months | Panacur |
| 12 months | Quest Plus and perform fecal egg count |
Piedmont Equine Practice recommends the following core vaccinations:
SEE BELOW FOR OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
– Spring –
- Flu/Rhino
- Core Equine (Zoetis)- EWT/(Eastern, Western Encephalitis, West Nile Virus and Rabies
- Potomac Horse Fever
– Fall –
- Flu/Rhino
- Potomac Horse Fever
- West Nile Virus
Horses at risk for Strangles (Strep equi) disease should receive this Intranasal vaccine annually. These are horses that are traveling and housed with horses from different farms, horses that are kept at large boarding operations and young horses with naive immune systems. If your horse has no history of being vaccinated with Strangles they will need an initial vaccine followed by a booster given 3-4 weeks later.
Potomac Horse Fever is endemic in this region, occurring most frequently in the summer. Horses should be vaccinated in the spring.
Botulism is an optional vaccine and is recommended for horses that are fed round bales. It is also often administered to broodmares to provide passive immunity to their foals. This vaccine is usually given in the fall in anticipation of round bale feeding during winter months. If your horse has no history of being vaccinated for Botulism they will need 3 vaccines given one month apart to start, and then the vaccine is given once annually thereafter.
Horses heading south for the winter show season should be boostered for EWT and WNV prior to departure.
Horses with no vaccination history, in particular those horses that were recently imported from foreign countries, need at least the basic vaccine set (Rabies, EWT, Flu/Rhino, WNV) followed by a second round (boosters) given 3-4 weeks later.
Piedmont Equine does not currently endorse any vaccines used to protect horses from EPM or Lyme Disease.
– Broodmares –
All broodmares should receive all spring vaccines 4-6 weeks prior to parturition. This may include the rotavirus or botulism vaccines if the mare is foaling on an “at risk” farm. Broodmares should also receive the Rhinopneumonitis (Pneumabort K) vaccine at 3, 5, 7, and 9 months of gestation.
– Weanlings –
All vaccines given at 6 months, then boostered again 3-4 weeks following the first series. A third dose of vaccines may be repeated at one year of age. Vaccines should be based on potential level of exposure.
