Recently I have been seeing several cases of small redworm infestation with clinical signs of weight loss, diarrhoea and general malaise.

These are roundworms which are red in colour and about 1cm in length.  The larval stage inside the horse burrows into the gut wall and forms a cyst in which the parasite hibernates of a period of time.  Then the parasite burrows back out through the gut wall to mature into an egg laying adult.

Treatment is possible using either a single dose of Equest (or Equest Pramox) or a 5 day treatment using Panacur Guard.  This worming should be done in late autumn/ winter around December- January.