Tapeworms are cream coloured and grow up to 10cm long. they
are made up of segments containing eggs.
Tapeworm eggs are passed out in the dung and eaten by a
microscopic mite which lives on the pasture. Horses become infected during
grazing by eating the mites containing the immature tapeworms. These mites can
easily remain active in the winter by surviving in hay and bedding.
Therefore re-infestation can take place throughout the year.
The adult worms attach themselves at the junction of the
small and large intestine. In large numbers tapeworms can cause local
irritation and thickening at the site of attachment.
Tapeworms are a recognised cause of certain types of colic
in horses and can cause severe internal problems.
If your horse is found to have a high tapeworm burden, he
is likely to develop one again in the future. It may be wise to double dose
Pyrantel every six months (April & October).
Tapeworms can affect horses of any age.
The life cycle of the tapeworm is around 3 months.
