Tapeworm

Symptoms

If large numbers are present the horse can have acute attacks of colic. If the damage is large, unthriftiness, diarrhoea and weight loss will be seen.

Cause

A flat worm which lives at the junction of the small and large intestines. It sheds segments of its body which contain eggs and these are passed with the faeces. The eggs are eaten by mites and re-infect the horse when these mites are eaten during grazing.

Treatment

Anthelmintic drugs should be given on a correct worming plan.

Please remember this information is provided as a guide only and professional advice should be sought before any diagnosis or treatment is applied.