TAPEWORM WORMER TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES
FROM OCTOBER 2018 the wormer brand Equitape, commonly used to treat tapeworm infection, will no longer be available in the UK. This action has been forced due to decisions made by a third-party manufacturer. Equitape is the only licensed product containing praziquantel as a single active ingredient. It will now only be available in combination wormers, which also contain either invermectin or moxidectin, the drugs most commonly used to treat small and large redworm. What this means in reality is that there’ll be no way of giving horses tapeworm treatment only. Instead owners will have to administer wormers that treat a number of worms, even if they don’t have those types. This is worrying news when over-worming and resistance to wormers is already a major problem. Current best practice to avoid escalation of this issue is to carry out saliva testing for tapeworm every six months and worm egg counts every eight to 12 weeks and treat accordingly, so each horse gets a tailored worming plan. Then in the autumn/winter, treat all horses for encysted redworm, which can’t be tested for. Pinworm lay their eggs outside the body and can be detected using an adhesive tape impression test. Without access to Equitape, it’s suggested a test for tapeworm should be done before the annual autumn treatment for redworm, and if none are present, worm with a moxidectin treatment only. If tapeworm is present, give a combination wormer. At other times of year, if tapeworm is confirmed, a worm egg count should be done and a combination wormer given if needed. If treatment for tapeworm only is required, use a double dose of pyrantel. The best thing to do initially is to consult a vet for advice. Carolyn Cummins, consultant vet to diagnostic services Westgate Labs, comments: “With the reduced treatment options, we’re concerned that the temptation could be to treat more and test less. However, with resistance rising, the only way of identifying problems is by testing routinely, together with resistance worming. Giving a wormer without understanding the worm burden present is a false economy for your horse’s health.”