Worming

["Quentin Llop" <qhll@eznet.net>]

1) Ivermectin:  The good news is that Ivermectin is now available as a
generic.  According to the Merck Factory rep., the Equalan liquid is
identical to the pig or cattle injectable.  Accordingly, Merck sets the per
cc. wholesale price the same.  The liquid is meant to be squirted onto the
middle of the horse's tongue - a 12cc plastic syringe works, if you don't
have a metal dose syringe, but can be put onto the feed.  The generic
wholesales about 20% cheaper than Equalan.  Look for the prices of both to
drop, particularly if you and everyone else start asking your vet for the
generic liquid.

2) Immature worms:  None of the Ridecamp discussions considered the
debilitating effects of larval forms of worms.  The larvae cause disease
months before they produce eggs - to be found in fecal exams.  As most horse
owners know, Quest kills worms 6-8 weeks younger than most other wormers,
however, Panacur kills worms about 2 months younger than Quest, if you use a
double dose for 5 days running (i. e. 10 times normal dose).  This is a
cleanout treatment recommeded in the Northeast, where I am, in the fall when
the worms in their natural wisdom encyst to wait for spring to mature and
produce eggs.  These encysted larvae are particular debilitating to young
stock - we treat all our two year olds and younger, a considerable expense
as you have probably already calculated.  Panacur at 1.5 times normal dose
for three days will kill a high percentage of the encysted larvae, and
should be considered as a midseason treatment for the poor doer.  The other
immature worm killing option is daily pyrantel (Strongid).  The drug is also
available as a generic, as it is commonly used to treat pinworms in
children.  The generic is about 25% the cost of the Strongid liguid, you
must then measure a small amount to put onto the feed daily.  Strongid does
not kill the encysted form, rather it kills the immature before it encysts,
consequently the horse's immunity to the worm is somewhat reduced.  This is
a concern if you stop giving the daily pyrantel.

Quentin Llop