Gabz Update 3 Geldings
gabz: first round of “double dose” on 23 August 2008
21 yo QH-Bubba. No noticeable signs of itchiness. Has fly sheet. Cribber since age 14. Used 1 E’max & 1 Ivermectin. That day his cribbing dropped about 40%. No noticeable change in the week following. (I don’t expect he has any major infestation.)
2 weeks later: Single dose of Equimax. He was not symptomatic at the beginning. Again, his cribbing decreased significantly on the day of dosing.
2+ weeks later. Bubba has had about 10 - 15 small “pimples” of serum pop up on his body. A few on his shoulder and neck. Several on his midline.
6 yo MFT-Bentley. Came from NASTY nasty farm. Questionable deworming background until November 2007 when I bought him. B&W color. had nasty small lumps on his chest and between front legs. Rubbing/scratching tail despite every 6 week deworming protocol. No crusties on midline. Used 1 E’max & 1 Ivermectin. Have noticed that tail isn’t being rubbed. Little bumps on chest gone. Will do a double E’max at 2 week mark.
2 week mark: DD Equimax. Between the first treatment and this one, his “scars” (at least that’s what I thought he had) on his chest reappeared. But I now realize they must be a sub-derma parasite and most likely the NTWs. After this DD of Equimax, he had some raised bumps and itchiness, which seem to resolve in a few days. Tail is not looking as scrufty.
1 week later: Single dose of ivermectin. No significant changes in lumps, bumps, or anything else.
10 yo Mtn Pleasure Horse-Amber Bock. Rescue from truck headed to Shipsy in Dec 07. poor haircoat, rat’s nest in tail. crusties on midline. Lumps at umbilical area and just in front of sheath. Used 1 E’max & 1 Ivermectin. Have noticed that tail isn’t being rubbed. Crusties … still there … but might be a little smaller. Will do a double E’max at 2 week mark and keep supplies on hand for additional 2 week dosing. This horse had SEVERE trust issues. Does not like to be touched. Flings head to avoid ear touching. Since Dec I have gained his trust… had a hard time trimming hind feet, etc., due to trust. This will be my “hard core” case to watch.
2 week mark: DD Equimax. Some small oval areas have appeared on his sides and hip. One nearly quarter-sized, the other dime-sized. dry scabby sort of spots. His midline is getting softer but still has crusties. He LOVES it when I brush or scratch him there. Eye discharge a little less. He wears a fly mask on days almost everyday. Top of tail still a little ratty. The lumps in his umbilical area appear to be getting smaller.
1 week later: Single dose of ivermectin. No significant changes. During the past few weeks of deworming, he had 1 VERY good day about being touched, but is again very sensitive.
I think of note with these horses is that I have used Quest and Quest+ on them in the 10 months prior to this. So I think that I may have reduced the numbers in previous dewormings; therefore, none of my 3 horses had super high NTW loads but I’m sure that 2 of them did have them in large numbers. None of my 3 ever did the intense scratching that so many others have written about.
Another NOTE: I measured the horses and discovered that I had underestimated their weights by at least 100 pounds. Consequently they were not receiving high-enough levels of some dewormer pastes in the past.
Next on the rotation schedule is Quest for all.
Neck Threadworm