Red alert for horses: Encysted small redworms can be killers
Recent cases in Britain of serious disease in horses caused by severe encysted small redworm infections have prompted a veterinarian to remind owners of the risks posed by not treating for the potentially fatal parasite.
Zoetis vet Wendy Talbot said that in spring the small redworm larvae can erupt from their hibernation inside the horse’s gut in large numbers, breaking and damaging the lining of the intestinal wall. Symptoms include diarrhoea, weight loss and colic. This condition (known as larval cyathostominosis) can be fatal. Young horses (< 6 years old) have the highest risk although all ages may be affected.
“Over the past few weeks I have heard of a number of cases of larval cyathostominosis,” Talbot said.
“Unfortunately people think their horses are safe from this parasite if they have had a recent, negative faecal worm egg count (FWEC) but this absolutely is not the case. Because encysted small redworm are hibernating, they won’t show in faecal worm egg counts. A horse could actually have a burden of several million encysted small redworm larvae yet show a negative or low FWEC.
Currently, there is no effective test for the encysted stages of small redworm. All horses of more than six months of age should be dosed for it ideally during the late autumn/early winter and certainly before the spring arrives.
There are only two active ingredients licensed to treat encysted small redworm: a single dose of moxidectin or a five-day course of fenbendazole. However, there is widespread evidence of resistance in small redworm to fenbendazole, including the five-day dose so a resistance test is recommended before using it. Moxidectin has high efficacy against adult small redworm including encysted mucosal larvae.
“It’s imperative to use the right worming product,” Talbot said. “Treating with a wormer that does not specifically target the encysted stages (ivermectin, pyrantel or single dose fenbendazole) during late autumn and winter can actually increase the risk of a horse with a high encysted small redworm burden developing larval cyathostominosis.
Always make sure you choose the right worming methods and products for your horse’s circumstances by discussing your worming programme with your prescriber.
Dowdall SMJ, et al. Antigen-specific IgG(T) responses in natural and experimental cyathostominae infection in horses. Vet Parasitol 2002; 106: 225–242. Matthews JB (2008) Equine Vet Educ. Oct. 552-559.
Reinmeyer and Neilsen (2013) Handbook of Equine Parasite Control. Bairden (2006) Vet record, 158, 766-76
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My 3 year old cob was diagnosed with encysted red worm infection almost a month ago Treatent 5 day course of Panacur Elsa dropped weight very fast – from a plump robust happy pony to skin and bone with little energy she is on a 45 day course of Prednisolone reducing amount every 15 days and high calorie oil rich feed She is very slowly putting a little weight on but her energy levels are still very low Have been treating her for lice to no avail The vet has recommended Deosect which was available on line
My problem is she is one of 9 In the herd All the others appear fit and healthy but so did Elsa All wormed with Panacur 10 days before Elsa became ill
It is totally heart breaking seeing her so poorly There was no
warning The herd are regularly wormed How an I protect them please
Are the cysts about the size of a red pepper seed and tough like cartilage?
As I saw many red thin red worms in the eyes.