PARASITE MANAGEMENT | FAECAL EGG COUNTSAre you wondering whether or not to deworm your horse?
To arrange a faecal egg count and get the answers you need please follow these simple instructions;
Collect one ball of fresh faeces in a zip lock bag. You can store the sample in the fridge for up to 4 days prior to submission. Please write your full name, phone number and the horse name in permanent marker on each sample submitted.
Contact our team using this form and notify us of your intention to drop off a sample. You can deliver your sample to 4/4-6 Guelph Street, Somerville VIC 3912.
You can expect your results within 2 business days.
Cost: $35 for a single sample and $30 per sample for 2 or more samples submitted at the same time for a single owner.
To book a consultation or for any further questions please call 03 5977 5250.
Why do we use faecal eggs counts?
There has been a shift from traditional deworming at every “season change” to an evidence-based approach with regular faecal egg counts.
With frequent and often unnecessary treatment with anti-parasitic drugs there has been a massive rise in worm resistance to these drugs.
As there is a limited number of anti-parasitic drugs available for horses there is a very real possibility that without responsible use there will be complete resistance to them, and we will not be able to deworm horses at all.
FECs let us target the use of these drugs only to the horses that require them – which are the horses who have a moderate-high burden of parasites.
This strategy prevents parasitic disease in horses by minimising pasture contamination and reducing the chances of anti-parasitic drug resistance.
The FEC facts
What does the FEC result mean?
FECs can characterise how many parasite eggs are being shed from your horse into the environment and results are sorted into four major categories:
0-200 EPG = Low shedder
250-500 EPG = Moderate shedder
550-1500 EPG = High shedder
≥1500 EPG = Very high shedder
FECs can also be used to test the efficacy of your deworming product by retesting 14 days after treatment – if the repeat count has not been significantly reduced to below 200 EPG then the dewormer is not efficacious and parasites are likely resistant to the ingredients used in the dewormer.
FEC can also be used to aid in the evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy. This means an FEC can be used to make sure your wormers/dewormer is still working the way it’s supposed to.
What are the limitations of FEC?
FEC detect the eggs shed in faeces by the main internal intestinal parasites which include large strongyles (bloodworms), non-encysted small strongyles (cyathostomins), and ascarids (roundworms).
Some parasite eggs can NOT be detected using a FEC, which include encysted small strongyles (which are buried in the intestinal wall), tapeworms, pinworms (eggs laid outside on rectum), and bots (eggs laid onto hair and skin).
How often do we perform FECs?
We recommend using FECs every 3 months, during each of the seasons, for ongoing surveillance of parasitic burden and for targeted deworming when required.
What are our deworming goals?
The goal of parasite control is NOT to eliminate all parasites from an individual, but to LIMIT parasite infections to a low level that ensures horses stay healthy and clinical disease from parasites does not occur.
Use of deworming products may vary from individual to individual, and the following strategies only relate to ADULT horses over the age of 3.
For strategies for pregnant mares, foals, and young horses please contact your veterinarian for advice.
What are our deworming strategies?
We recommend strategic deworming when required with information gathered using our FECs. In spring, summer, and winter if the FEC is over 250 EPG we would recommend using a deworming product.
If the count is very high (≥1500 EPG) we recommend using a five-day course of Panacur (fenbendazole) – this is a slow kill product – so the high burden of parasites are slowly killed off. Using fast-kill product with a high burden can increase the risk of colic after deworming.
Due to the low-risk of post-worming complications, we also recommend deworming on a Monday to avoid any weekend call outs that potentially might be needed!
We recommend deworming all adults in autumn with Equest-plus-tape (Moxidectin/Praziquantel) as this is the only product that is effective against encysted small strongyles/cyathostomins which should be targeted once yearly. This dewormer also targets tapeworm which should also be targeted once yearly.
What else can I do to help control parasites?
Regular removal of manure from pastures…
Ideally once or twice per week all manure should be removed from the paddock. This is the most important and effective control method in preventing parasitic disease. This prevents larvae in the manure spreading onto the pasture to be ingested (they can travel up to a meter away!)
Harrowing paddocks…
As larvae can survive in freezing, dry, wet and hot conditions of pasture, it is not recommended that this be used as the primary method of manure removal. It can be utilised in summer when the days are over 30℃ as this has the best chance of killing larvae. Otherwise you are only spreading the eggs around.
Pasture rotation…
Ideally spell paddocks for 6-8 weeks (should be cleaned of manure prior to spelling). If possible, add sheep or cattle into the rotation as this disrupts the parasites lifecycle and can help reduce numbers.
Group horses according to age…
Foals and younger horses (under 3) should be turned out on the “cleanest” pasture with the lowest parasite burden as they are more susceptible to infection.
Avoid overstocking or overgrazing paddocks…
This reduces contamination
Further FAQs
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The best way to test efficacy is to perform a FEC before deworming, then repeat it 14 days post deworming.
This is called a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and efficacy is calculated using the formula below.
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Foals require a different strategy in comparison to adult horses, and typically need four deworming treatments during their first year of life, but this can differ between individuals.
It is recommended that owners consult with their veterinarian for a personalised treatment plan for each foal with specific dewormers that are safe to use in foals.
o 3 months old = first dewormer with Panacur – this is mainly to target ascarids (roundworms)
o 6 months old = second dewormer is based on results of a FEC – if the primary issue is ascarids then they are dewormed with Panacur, or with ivermectin if strongyles are the issue.
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Yearlings and two-year-olds should continue to be treated as “high shedders” and receive three to four-yearly treatments with dewormers, ideally with FECs performed for surveillance.
One treatment in autumn should include the use of Equest-plus tape (moxidectin and praziquantel).
Once they have reached three years old, they can transition to the targeted strategy outlined above.
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There are lots of deworming products on the market here in Australia, the table below outlines the common products used and their active ingredients.
With regards to active ingredients:
o Moxidectin is the ONLY effective drug against encysted small strongyles
o Praziquantel is the most effective drug against tapeworm – other drugs such as pyrantel and morantel have been shown to be less effective.
o Pyrantel is the most effective drug against pinworms
Historically, it has been recommended to rotate your dewormers every time you use them. New evidence suggests that this may help increase resistance to multiple drugs quickly, so it is now best practice to change the type of dewormer used in winter/spring/summer treatments (if required) every twelve months.
