Equine Health

Medicine & Husbandry

Tapeworm

Recent research has highlighted the potential for the common equine tapeworm to cause intestinal disease. The parasite, when present in large numbers, causes significant pathology at the junction of the small and large intestines which can lead to colic, ileal impaction colic, and possibly intussusceptions (one intestine “telescoping” into another), and rupture of the cecum. 

It is difficult to locate tapeworm eggs on routine fecal examinations and fecal flotations. Often horses that have been found to have severe infestations of tapeworms on necropsy had negative fecal flotations when alive.

Tapeworms are easily controlled with the proper dewormer, either pyrantel pamoate at double the dose or praziquantel. It is important to note that routine deworming programs do not kill tapeworms. They are not susceptible to routine dewormers and therefore one of the new products designed to kill tapeworms must be given (i.e., Equimax by Pfizer). We have implemented the control of tapeworms into our deworming protocol for our clients on the wellness program, and recommend that all horse owners use these products in their worm control programs. One tube of dewormer is a small price to pay when you compare it to the possible complications of colic and death from these parasites.