EGG COUNT KITS

A worm count is really a worm egg count (known as a faecal egg count). A small sample of dung is examined in the laboratory to find out how many worm eggs are present.

Low Medium or High?

The aim is to keep the number low. A count of less than 200 eggs per gram is a low count. Between 200 and 1200 e.p.g. is a medium count, and above that level the count is considered high.

A worm count will help you to monitor the situation inside your horse. Of course it is impossible to know the level of worm burden carried by an individual without this check. Not only could your horse be carrying large numbers of worms, but he could also be contaminating the pasture by passing out large numbers of infective eggs, so worsening the problem.

A worm count will give you peace of mind over your worm control measures. Alternatively you will be able to deal with any problem in a knowledgeable way.

It is important to realise the uses and limitations of a worm count before taking the decision to reduce your worming programme. An initial test will determine the level of adult, egg laying, parasites present at that time. It will not show immature or encysted worms so you should treat the result with caution. You will feel much more confident after a series of counts when a picture of your horses' internal health begins to emerge.

Bear in mind the worming history and management of your horse. Are droppings cleared from the paddock? Is the horse kept in his own field with the same friends? Are all the horses wormed together? All these considerations must be taken into account to determine the level of threat from parasites.

If you then have consistently clear or low counts, you are probably in a good position to reduce your worming. Don't forget about tapeworm! You will need to worm for tapeworm, unless a blood test, taken by your vet, shows that there are none present.