When to rotate wormers

[Pasomom]

This is a website that one of my vets recommended to us about the rotation of wormers. Thought this might be of interest.

You can order a free barn chart to tell you what type of wormer to use during which parts of the year.

www.getrotationright.com

[lalecl]

Thanks mom ordered my chart

[motorgypsy]

There is resistance to these wormers like panacur so be sure to include Quest (moxidectin) in the rotation.

[Pasomom]

Yes, I was just reading the thread about the colic horse which turned in to a discussion about wormers. I guess you just need to make sure that you are using wormers on a real regular basis before using the Quest, to guard against colic on the dead worm load.

[motorgypsy]

Here is a link to Fort Dodge, makers of Quest

http://www.wyeth.com/products?product=/wyeth_html/home/products/animal_health/QUEST%C2%AE%20Gel/QUEST%C2%AE%20Gel_overview.html

and Quest Plus kills tapeworms

[PasoVicki]

I have a question: The chart uses "seasonal changes" as the basis for rotating wormers. What do you do when you live in an area where there aren't true "seasons?" In So Cal, we have a rainy season and a dry season, but we don't have real freezes (although it does get colder at night in the winter, but rarely cold enough to frost). We also don't have any real "grazing" season -- we just have dry lot and some seasonal weeds, which we try to keep cleared out. We do rotate wormers . . . but how do I know that I'm using the right wormer at the right time?

[Brigitte]

I have a question: The chart uses "seasonal changes" as the basis for rotating wormers. What do you do when you live in an area where there aren't true "seasons?" In So Cal, we have a rainy season and a dry season, but we don't have real freezes (although it does get colder at night in the winter, but rarely cold enough to frost). We also don't have any real "grazing" season -- we just have dry lot and some seasonal weeds, which we try to keep cleared out. We do rotate wormers . . . but how do I know that I'm using the right wormer at the right time?

Ditto to that..no seasons here

[Pam M]

Check with your vet - they usually have a good idea of what/when to worm. Where I live summers are brutally hot and we're only recommended deworming 4 times a year, through fall, winter and spring months. I do it 5 anyway, for good measure. ;-)

It's my understanding that extreme temps, either hot or cold, affect your schedule more so I would hazard a guess that in a consistent climate you would need to stay on an annual schedule - every 6 weeks, every 8 weeks or something similar. This is not vet advice, just an opinion!!

Worms are nothing to take lightly. One of my old boarders lost one horse from problems caused by a heavy worm load and still struggles with worm issues in another horse who, even after 4 years, just can't seem to shake her worm problems despite excellent, proactive treatment.

[appyday]

Thanks..I got one..

[motorgypsy]

Check out the independent studies. ALL the wormers but Quest have resistance problems so if your horse still has a worm load after paste rotation and daily wormer I'd sure use Quest plus and get tapes while you're at it. And no we don't work for Fort Dodge. We just used Quest because our 23 year old was unthrifty and were amazed at the result.

About when to worm - in Colombia there was a season where the trees lost leaves and when they flowered and when the birds nested and raised young. You can probably go by those things as a signal to worm.

[Candice Burger]

For us southern and southeastern folks might want to read these articles first before deciding to rotate and what wormers to use when.

They explain why rotation is no longer necessary and why southern folks might want to rethink worming every 2 months without reason.

After reading these articles, I've adopted the program and it's working well for me. I worm when I need to and have a better program for my youngsters.

http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=5303&dpt=5&nID=37&n=General&case=2

The money I saved bought the microscope for fecal counts. ;-)

[Pasomom]

there is a "contact us" link at the bottom of the page. If you have questions, you may zip them an email.

I am sure there are other wormers on the market that do the same jobs, and this site gives the active ingredients so you can check other wormers also and use other brands if you please.

Obvioulsy Quest is a little different than most wormers, so That you will have to work into your program on your own.

I am not sure exactly how they figure the southern states and no climate change areas. Be interesting to see. Since some of us have ordered from Florida, it will be interesting to see what they give us verses what they give the northern states.

Thanks everyone for your input also.

[motorgypsy]

Just found a cheaper version of Quest Plus for 9.99 at Jeffers. It's made by Farnham and called "combocare". I thought I remembered that there was a "cheaper model out there".

Candice what kind of microscope do you have. There is supposed to be a really great cheapy maybe kids scope out there that will do the job but I've lost the link to the lady (raises goats) who recommended it. We do need one.