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Re: [RC] worming foal - heidiOk, here's a slight twist on the worming question. Have got several different answers locally from both breeders and vets, just wondering what ya'lls take on it is.... When do you first worm a foal, with what (safeguard?) and for how often and long until its ready to be on the regular adult horses worming protocal? Also what do you do for *foal heat* scours on baby..temp is normal, is eating and bright eyed. Do you just keep an eye on foal with a wait and see attitude or get agressive with treatment and if this is the case what kind of treatment? Re foal heat scours--the #1 causitive factor is Strongyloides, which migrates into the udder of the mare with the hormonal stimulation prior to the onset of labor. I'm unsure whether a fenbendazole purge during pregnancy will help cut down on the dormant larvae, but the main defense against this is to deworm the mare with ivermectin within 12 hours after foaling. We try to hit the mares with ivermectin at the same time we treat the navels on the foals. The #2 factor, IMO, is feeding the mare too much rich food too soon. We don't feed grain to our mares anyway, but I had good luck preventing foal heat scours with my clients that I could get to take the mares OFF of all grain until through foal heat, and then add it back slowly afterward. Initially, there is often just too much milk for the little guys. As for treatment--depends on how bad it is. Often products such as kaolin-pectin (or Kaopectate) help (better than PeptoBismol, btw), and keeping the bottom greased with vaseline or Desitin to prevent scalding. If they have normal temps and normal appetites, that's about all that needs to be done. Sometimes probiotics are helpful. If it really gets bad and they become ill, they may need fluids and/or antibiotics, but I try to spare the antibiotics unless they are really indicated. Regarding deworming--fenbendazole is a good one (Safeguard), start at 3-4 weeks, and deworm every 3-4 weeks for the first few months. I don't mess with ivermectin until either 6 months or winter, whichever comes first. It is safe enough in foals, but just isn't very efficacious against roundworms. So there really isn't much point in giving it until you've had a fall frost, to kill the bots. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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