<< .we also have three large dogs, one of the great danes got
tapeworms, noticably. Well we administered wormer to the dogs(all) for
tapeworms in case they were all infected......my question is: #1) Should
I be worried that my horses have tapeworms too. #2) and if so what can I
give them to worm them for tapeworms, just to be on the safe side.....I
know they are very contagious........Dogs and horses have access to one
another.
>>
The tapeworms that dogs and cats carry are carried by two sources. Neither
source is a source to horses. One source in fleas and the other is rodents
and small animals. Dog chews self, ingests flea parts, which carry tapeworm
eggs, gets tapeworms, or, dog catches rabbit, eats rabbit, ingests tapeworms
carried by rabbit, gets tapeworms. Two different types of tapeworms.
The type of tapeworm that a horse can get in not the types carried by dogs
and cats. If you are truly interested in what your horse is carrying CALL
YOUR VET!!! They are usually so loaded with info and so willing to share. It
is accurate information, not second hand.
Tapes carried by dogs and cats are treated with one of three medications. One
is Cestex, one is Droncit, and the other is Panacur. I did pose the question
to my boss, Dr. Collins, why Strongid would treat tapes in horses, but not in
dogs and cats. He told me, "Good Question!". One I aim to find the answer to.
The one thing I learned is that tapes are of insignifigant concern to a horse
compared to the many other more dangerous parasites they have to deal with.
If you are concerned about tapes, Panacur, otherwise known as fenbendazole,
will treat just about every internal parasite under the sun.
Bottom line...TALK TO YOUR OWN VET!! That's what I do.
Cordially,
Darlene M. Anderson, LVT
and the incredible FeatherB
Stanwood, WA