As a responsible horse owner, it is essential to ensure that your equine friend remains healthy and free from any potential health risks. One of the most significant threats to your horse's well-being is worm infestation. Worms can cause significant damage to your horse's internal organs and, if left untreated, can even be fatal.
Preventing worm infestation involves a multifaceted approach, including proper management, pasture maintenance, and routine horse worming. However, before worming your horse, it is crucial to test for worms to determine if treatment is required and if so the appropriate medication to use and the correct dosage to administer. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of horse worm tests and how to perform them correctly.
Types of Horse Worm Tests
There are several types of horse worm tests, each designed to detect different types of worms. The most common types of tests include faecal egg counts (FECs), blood tests, and saliva tests.
Faecal Egg Count (FEC)
Faecal egg counts are the most common type of horse worm test. FECs are used to detect the presence of redworm and roundworm eggs in the horse's manure. This test is crucial because it identifies the worm burden that is present in your horse's gut, which helps determine the most effective medication for your horse, prevents worming unnecessarily and indicates if your worming measures are working.
The FEC test involves collecting a small sample of your horse's manure and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory technician will examine the manure sample under a microscope to identify the type and number of worm eggs present. Based on the test results, your veterinarian can determine the appropriate medication and dosage to administer to your horse.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are another type of horse worm test that detects the presence of antibodies or antigens in your horse's blood. These tests are less common than FECs but are often used to detect specific types of worms, such as tapeworms or more recently encysted redworm.
Blood tests involve taking a small blood sample from your horse's vein and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory technician will examine the blood sample to identify any antibodies or antigens present, indicating the presence of worms.
Tapeworm Saliva Tests
Saliva tests are a relatively new type of horse worm test that measures tapeworm specific antibodies in your horse's saliva. This test is non-invasive and straightforward, making it an excellent option for horse owners who want to test their horses regularly.
The saliva test involves collecting a small amount of your horse's saliva using a swab and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory technician will examine the saliva sample to identify antibodies against tapeworm antigens, indicating the presence of worms.
Please find a saliva test for your horse here.
When to Test for Worms
It is essential to test your horse for worms regularly to identify any infestation early and treat it before it becomes a significant health issue. The frequency of worm testing depends on several factors, including your horse's age, health, and living conditions.
As a general rule, worm count healthy horses every 8-12 weeks and tapeworm test twice a year in the spring and autumn to determine if drug treatment is required. However, if your horse has a history of worm infestations or lives in an area with a high parasite load, your vet may recommend more frequent testing.
Foals, on the other hand, are more susceptible to worm infestations and should be tested more frequently. Foals should be tested for worms every 4-6 weeks until they are six months old and then every 6-8 weeks until they are one year old.
Please find our horse worming products here.
How to Perform a Faecal Egg Count (FEC) Test
Performing a faecal egg count test on your horse is a simple process that can be done at home or by your veterinarian. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform an FEC test:
Step 1: Collect a Manure Sample
Collecting a manure sample is the first step in performing an FEC test. Use a clean plastic bag or container to collect a small amount of fresh manure from your horse's stall or pasture. Make sure to avoid any contamination with urine or dirt.
Step 2: Label the Sample
Label the sample with your horse's name, the date, and the time of collection. This information is essential for the laboratory technician to accurately identify and analyze the sample.
Step 3: Store the Sample
Store the sample in a cool, dry place and transport it to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not freeze the sample as this may affect the accuracy of the test.
Step 4: Wait for the Results
The laboratory technician will examine the manure sample under a microscope to identify the type and number of worm eggs present. The results are typically available within a few days, and your veterinarian will contact you with the results.
Interpreting the Results
The FEC test results will show the number of worm eggs per gram (EPG) of manure. The EPG count is used to determine the severity of the worm infestation and to identify the most effective medication for your horse.
A low EPG count (less than 200) indicates a low level of worm infestation, while a high EPG count (more than 1200) indicates a severe infestation. Your vet will use the EPG count to determine the appropriate medication to administer to your horse.
Worm infestations are a common problem among horses and can cause significant health issues if left untreated. Preventing worm infestations involves a multifaceted approach, including proper management, pasture maintenance, and routine horse worming. However, before worming your horse, it is crucial to test for worms to determine if drug treatment is required, the appropriate medication to use and the correct dosage to administer.
Faecal egg counts (FECs), blood tests, and saliva tests are the most common types of horse worm tests. FECs are the most commonly used test and involve collecting a small sample of your horse's manure and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. Blood tests and saliva tests are less common but may be used to detect specific types of worms.
Regular worm testing is essential to identify any infestation early and treat it before it becomes a significant health issue. The frequency of worm testing depends on several factors, including your horse's age, health, and living conditions. Adult horses should be tested for worms at least twice a year, while foals should be tested more frequently.
Performing a faecal egg count test on your horse is a simple process that can be done at home or by your vet. The test results will show the number of worm eggs per gram (EPG) of manure, which is used to determine the severity of the infestation and the appropriate medication to use.
By regularly testing for worms and following a comprehensive worming program, you can ensure that your horse remains healthy and free from any potential health risks.
Written by: Lee
