Page 76 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• raised plasma fibrinogen as a response to the inflammation and tissue damage

VetBooks.ir BLOOD AND SALIVA TESTS FOR TAPEWORM

A blood test can be taken by the vet to measure antibodies to tapeworm. There is also a saliva
test whereby the owner collects saliva from the horse with a swab collection kit in spring and

autumn and sends it off to a laboratory. If the risk is low, autumn testing may be sufficient;
ask your vet for advice. The test is used a minimum of 4 months after the last treatment for
tapeworm.

BLOOD TEST FOR SMALL REDWORM

A blood test that detects all stages of small redworm including encysted larvae will be
available from September 2019. The ideal testing time is between September and December.

Use of this test will reduce the need for routine winter treatment of all horses with
moxidectin. Your vet will assess your horse’s risk of infection depending on its age, previous

FEC results, the management of the pasture and the other horses that share the grazing. Low
and moderate risk horses with FECs of less than 200 EPG should be tested; high risk horses

and those with a FEC of more than 200 EPG will be given routine moxidectin treatment
instead and re-evaluated 6 months later. The blood test should not be done until 4 months
have elapsed after a treatment with moxidectin (Equest).

CELLOPHANE TAPE TEST FOR PINWORM EGGS

Pinworm eggs may be collected from the skin around the anus and also the vulva in mares
and viewed under the microscope.

TRACHEAL WASH

When a horse or donkey has lungworm, adult worms, larvae or eggs may be recovered from
a tracheal wash sample.

IDENTIFICATION OF WORMS IN THE GUT AT SURGERY OR POST

MORTEM EXAMINATION

This can be the unfortunate result of worms being allowed to develop and multiply
unchecked.

Treatment and prevention

There are many considerations that affect one’s choice of worming programme. The decision