Horse Tapeworm

Horses get tapeworms from forage mites that have ingested tapeworm eggs. Forage mites live in pastures, lawns and vegetation and feed on horse manure. As the horse digests the forage, tapeworms emerge from the infected mites and attach themselves to the intestinal lining of the horse. Once the tapeworms mature, they shed their eggs into the manure of the horse. The cycle begins again when mites in the pasture consume the eggs.

• Tapeworms can infect horses of nearly any age but horses between three and five years and older than 15 years harbor the greatest number of tapeworms.

• Tapeworms can't be directly transmitted from horse to horse.

• Forage mites favor temperate climates.

• Tapeworms are most common in late fall because higher humidity helps the tapeworm eggs move from the grass to the grass mite to your horse.

Adult tapeworms attach to an area of the intestine where the end of the small intestine connects to the cecum. This causes inflammation and damage to the intestine. Inflammation can cause bowel obstructions or bowel abnormalities that can result in life threatening horse colic.

There is no reliable test for tapeworms so regular deworming is recommended as a part of your horse care routine. Commonly used dewormers are not effective against equine tapeworms. Ivermectin (Zimectrin, EqValan), moxidectin (Quest), and fenbendazole (Panacur) do not kill tapeworms.

Praziquantel (found in Zimectrin Gold) has been shown to be effective against equine tapeworms. Your veterinarian will have more information regarding the use of praziquantel to control equine tapeworms.

Parasites can build resistance to dewormers so don't overuse them. A sensible parasite management program will increase horse health and help keep dangerous equine parasites under control.

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