Horse Parasites

The problem of horse parasites is faced by every horse to a certain extent. In order to keep the infestation to a minimum and to have a healthy and economically kept horse, regular precautions must be taken. The effect of an infestation of internal parasites in the horse can be very serious. It can cause discomfort for the horse and expenditure to the owner, at worst it can cause death. Foals and young horses are particularly at risk. In the piece of writing below, some of the common horse parasites are described.

Parasites of Horse

• Ascarids (Parascaris equorum) - These parasites are commonly known as roundworm. They are very perilous parasites and attack very young horses like weanlings, sucklings and yearlings. Ascarids in the larval stages of migration can harm lung and liver tissue of the horse. Some of the symptoms of this parasite are fever, lethargy, pneumonia, coughing and other infections and affected respiratory tract. Adult roundworms keep hanging in the small intestine, where they can cause problems like ruptured gut, colic, blockage and even death. A parasite protection program can conveniently prevent these dangerous parasites.
• Intestinal threadworms (Stronyloides westeri)-These parasites generally attack young horses. You can catch the presence of this parasite in your foal when he has diarrhea, is losing weight and appetite or right amount of hair growth is not seen in him, then you can be pretty sure that threadworms have attacked your foal. You have to be extra careful here as there are several dewormers which do not successfully cure threadworms. For a good course of action, talk to your veterinarian.
• Large Strongyles (Strongylus vulgaris and Strongylus edentatus)-These parasites are commonly known as bloodworms. These are the most destructive internal parasites and the deadliest also. They impair circulation, destroy arterial walls, rupture or block blood vessels and destroy tissues and organs. The presence of this deadly parasite inside the body of your horse can cause diarrhea, colic, lethargy, depression, anemia, fever and loss of desire for food. To help your horse against this parasite, Use a dewormer that works on both adult worms and the more vicious arterial larvae. Seek suggestions of your veterinarian because a number of many dewormers treat only the less hazardous adult worms.
• Small strongyles-They survive and migrate within the intestinal tract. They result in weight loss, intestinal inflammation, colic, diarrhea and anorexia. A nice dewormer helps you.
• Pinworms. (Oxyuris equi)-Presence of these parasites on your horse can be detected by horse’s discomfort around the tail region like lot of itching and scratching. Survival and mating of pinworms in the rectum of horse result in obnoxious issues such as tail rubbing. An appropriate dose of a quality dewormer will relieve your horse from this gruesome parasite.
• Summer sores (Habronema and Draschia)-These occur on the body of your horse when a fly deposits larvae in the open skin or a wound on horse’s body. Nodules in the stomach wall, gastritis and conjunctivitis can be the resultants of this horse parasite.
• Bots (Gastrophilus)- The strange fact associated with these horse parasites is that they are internal parasites but live on the horse’s body. At the minimum, this parasite causes sores and inflammation in the horse’s mouth. More serious problems such as perforation of the stomach wall, stomach ulceration and irritation are other results of presence of these parasites. The extreme results of this parasite are can blockage of stomach outflow into the small intestine, colic and also death. First treat this parasite on the body of horse with a special comb that removes bots and then use a dewormer.

It is recommended that patent wormers should be changed from time to time because some parasites may develop immunity to a particular brand. Protect your horse against parasites. This is a part of good barn management. Whether you own a single horse or a boarding stable is your source of livelihood, you should have a good parasite prevention plan in place. Deworming your horses at standard intervals will keep parasites at bay and best health and safety of your horse can be ensured.