Parasite Control Guidelines

Low Shedders (0-200 epg) – 2X yearly

  • DEC/JAN – moxidectin (QUEST® or QUEST® PLUS Gel)
  • JUN/JUL – ivermectin/praziquantel (Equimax® paste)

Moderate Shedders (200-500 epg) – 3X yearly

  • DEC/JAN – moxidectin (QUEST® or QUEST® PLUS Gel)
  • APRIL/MAY – oxibendazole (ANTHELCIDE® EQ Paste)
  • AUG/SEPT – ivermectin/praziquantel (Equimax® paste)

High Shedders (500+ epg) – 4X yearly

  • Deworm and retest for efficacy in 1-2 months
  • DEC/JAN – moxidectin (QUEST® or QUEST® PLUS Gel)
  • MARCH/APRIL – oxibendazole (ANTHELCIDE® EQ Paste)
  • JUN/JULY – ivermectin/praziquantel (Equimax® paste)
  • SEPT/OCT – ivermectin (Bimectin® paste)

Broodmares

  • 3rd trimester – Fecal egg count and deworm 4 weeks prior to foaling *Drug selection based on test results
  • 24hrs post foaling – ivermectin (Bimectin® paste)

Foals

  • 2 months – fenbendazole – foal dose (double the weight) (PANACUR® Equine Paste)
  • 4 months – pyrantel (STRONGID® Paste)
  • 6 months – Fecal Egg Count – Fenbendazole – foal dose (double the weight) (PANACUR® Equine Paste) or  ivermectin (Bimectin® paste)
  • 8 months – pyrantel (STRONGID® Paste)
  • 10 months – fenbendazole foal dose (double) (PANACUR® Equine Paste)
  • 12 months – Fecal egg count  moxidectin/praziquantel (QUEST® PLUS Gel) or
    ivermectin/praziquantel (Equimax® paste)

 

AAEP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FECAL SAMPLING AND STORAGE

  • Samples should be stored in airtight and leak-proof containers or plastic bags.
  • Collected manure should be as fresh as possible. Samples less than 12 hours old are acceptable but should be refrigerated immediately after collection (Nielsen et al., 2010b).
  • Refrigeration is always recommended for storage of fecal samples, but anaerobic storage at room temperature will also prevent eggs from hatching. Anaerobic storage can be achieved by squeezing all the air out of the bag, or by using a vacuum-sealing device. Note that anaerobic storage works best on wet feces; if feces are dry, it is difficult to achieve an anaerobic state.
  • Samples should preferably be tested within 7 days of collection, although there are indications that eggs can remain intact for longer if adequately refrigerated
  • Fecal samples that are or have been frozen are not acceptable, as this will damage the eggs and decrease the recovery rate.
  • Diarrhea samples are not acceptable for FEC but can be used for qualitative testing. Note that if a horse has diarrhea that may be associated with parasitism, deworming may be indicated per clinician’s recommendations without regard to results of the FEC.