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Is it possible to overly deworm a horse2007-11-24 21:18:03

I just got my first horses 2 months ago (mares - 20 & 14 yrs. old). One was dewormed by the previous owners twice a year and the other quarterly. I'd like to start deworming them every 2 months, rotating between Pyrantel, Ivermectin, and Benzimidazole using ivermectin every other treatment. We seem to have SO many flies and bugs this year that I want to be on the safe side.

EX:

ivermectin

pyrantel

ivermectin

benzimidazole

ivermectin

pyrantel

etc.

1. Is every other month too much? What signs should I watch for if I am worming too often?

2. I have read that it's better to over-deworm than to not give them enough. I will be careful about the dosage, but what would happen if I accidentally overdosed (I am avoiding Quest Gel because I have read that's the one that's potentially harmful if overdosed)?

THANKS GUYS!!

Answers:

Where are you located? I ask since tapeworm is found in all part of the US but is more dominant in some regions than others.

As long as you keep something with a Botacide like Ivermectin or Zimectrin, you're horses will be protected from the general fly population.

If you are concerned about getting the exact dose, Get a weight tape and weigh your horses, even if you dose them a little bit more than their weight they will be fine.

You would have to really overdose a horse with wormer in order for there to be any significant problems. If you worm at 1,200 pounds and your horse is only 1,000 nothing will happen. Most wormers are designed to be relatively flexible as far as safety goes since they are being administered by non-professionals. Since many people do not prefer to do rotations, they will worm their horses monthly %1.87 Ivermectin. That is an option that works well since Ivermectin has not shown to have any resistance problems.