Blogs

Our blogs are packed with information about your pet’s health and everything related to worms.

How do I interpret the results?

A manure test alone does not determine whether a horse needs treatment. The questionnaire, the horse’s health and age, seasonal parasite pressure, and existing records also help assess whether treatment is appropriate.

Giardia in dogs and cats – what to do?

Giardia is a common intestinal parasite in dogs and cats. The parasite is microscopic and settles in the small intestine, where it multiplies and can cause symptoms. Not only young animals, but also adult dogs and cats can become infected.

 

 

My horse tested positive, but does not need treatment – how is that possible?

It can be confusing: you have a fecal test done and the result comes back positive. Yet, the advice is not to treat. How is that possible? We’ll explain.

 

Dewormed? Don’t forget the 14-day check!

When you deworm your horse, you naturally want to be sure that the treatment is actually working. A manure follow-up test gives you that confirmation.

When can your horse go back to pasture after a deworming treatment?

After a deworming treatment: pay attention to pasture management!

Effective parasite control doesn’t stop with giving the treatment.

Lungworm in horses and donkeys: what should you watch out for?

When horses and donkeys are kept together, there is an increased risk of lungworm infections. Lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi) is a parasite that mainly occurs in donkeys. For horses, however, it can cause health problems.

 

Worms in dogs and cats: similarities and differences

Some worm species are shared between them, while others affect only one.

Introducing: Habronemiasis

In recent weeks, we’ve received several photos from our clients showing horses with round spots around the mouth caused by Habronemiasis.

Is Harrowing and Spreading Manure on the Pasture Safe?

In the Netherlands, it is rarely dry or cold enough for long periods to completely kill larvae. Worm larvae do not survive well in high temperatures combined with drought, or during prolonged frost.

How do I prevent a worm infection?

A worm infection in dogs can have unpleasant consequences for your dog's health and may also pose a risk to other animals and humans. That’s why prevention is essential.

How do I prevent a worm infection?

A worm infection in cats can have unpleasant effects on your cat’s health and also pose a risk to other animals and humans. That’s why prevention is essential.

The impact of climate change on worm infections in sheep and goats

Climate change is having an increasing impact on the world, and worm infections in sheep and goats are no exception.

Worm resistance: what is it and why is it a problem? 

Worm resistance means that worms are no longer sensitive to certain deworming treatments.

Worm resistance: what is it and why is it a problem?

Worm resistance means that worms are no longer sensitive to certain deworming treatments.

The role of fleas in worm infections in dogs and cats

In this blog, we explain how fleas transmit worm infections, what the consequences are, and how you can prevent them.

Worms as a zoonosis: transmissible to humans

Some worms are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. This can lead to serious health problems, especially in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

How can I prevent a worm infection?

Alpacas are increasingly being kept as hobby and grazing animals. Unfortunately, alpacas are very susceptible to worm infestations. In this blog we explain how you can prevent a worm infestation in alpacas.

Worm resistance: what is it and why is it a problem?

Worm resistance means that worms are no longer sensitive to certain deworming treatments.

Worm infection via intermediate hosts

In this blog, we explain which intermediate hosts play a role in worm infections and how you can protect your pet against them.

How can I prevent a worm infection?
 

Worm infections can pose a serious health risk to your goats and sheep. In this blog, we explain how to prevent a worm infection.

Bloodworms: Small but not harmless

The red bloodworm is a parasite found in pastures where horses graze. Infection occurs when a horse ingests infected larvae from the grass.

Why broad-spectrum deworming is still too early

We haven’t had any autumn frost yet, and although it may be tempting to deworm now with a broad-spectrum product to target encysted red bloodworm larvae, it’s too early!

Sand colic in horses: What is it and how can you prevent it?

Horses can ingest sand in various ways without you or the horse even noticing. This can happen when they stand on a sand paddock, graze on sandy soil, or eat hay from the ground.

It’s acorn season again – but how dangerous are acorns really?

Acorns contain tannins that are toxic when consumed in excess. Small amounts are usually harmless, but large quantities can cause poisoning.

Can botfly eggs be detected through fecal testing?

The adult horse botfly is a brown, hairy fly with only one pair of wings and a body length of about 2 cm. In summer, we often see and hear adult botflies buzzing around horses.

Mild winters – what are the consequences?

Did you know that mild winters affect the infection pressure of worm infestations in horses?

Unknown and unwelcome: The deer ked

Have you ever heard of the deer ked? These annoying parasites can drive even the calmest horses crazy.

Why extra testing in summer?

Frequent fecal testing is essential to monitor the worm cycle. In summer, infection risk is higher — test every 2 months to prevent recurring infections.

How can I prevent a worm infection?

To prevent a worm infection, it’s essential to work preventively. One of the most important tasks is removing manure from the pasture.

Case from practice: Neck threadworms

We are the proud owners of our Lusitano gelding, Zartouche. In the summer of 2023, we noticed for the first time that he reacted more strongly to flies in the field, something we hadn't seen before.

Do you regularly check your horse for ticks?

Ticks can transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease. In the Netherlands, Ixodes ricinus is the most common tick and can occur on all mammals.

Introducing: Neck threadworms

This parasite is rarely seen in horses. Adult worms live in the nuchal ligament and can live up to 10 years. They are long and thin (6–30 cm) and transmitted by bites from infected midges (Culicoides).

Treatment doubt? Have you ever dealt with it?

Sometimes, we see horse owners choosing not to treat, even when treatment is advised. Reasons vary, including fear of resistance or thinking the problem is not serious.

Worm resistance alert!

Worm resistance is still often underestimated, mostly because horse owners think: it's not that bad, or it won't happen to me. As long as it doesn’t affect us, we assume it’s fine.

HELTIE horse guest blog: To deworm or not to deworm preventively in winter?

Many people routinely administer a stronger dewormer with moxidectin at the start of winter — targeting redworms, tapeworms, and bots. HELTIE horse asked us whether this is truly necessary and how to determine that.

Which worms can be detected through fecal testing?

Not all worms can be detected through fecal testing. In this blog, we explain which gastrointestinal worms are or aren’t detectable and when extra testing is recommended.

Roundworm vs Pinworm

Aarsmade wordt vaak verward met spoelworm, ze lijken qua vorm ook veel op elkaar maar wijken in grootte veel af van elkaar. 

Side effects from moxidectin treatment

The active ingredient in Equest Pramox and Equest oral gel is moxidectin. Every year, horse owners contact us about side effects after giving one of these treatments.

Why (not) deworm preventively?

Our team is happy to explain why preventive deworming is recommended and what the alternatives are.

Measuring your horse is knowing!

The end-of-year deworming is approaching, and we often get the question: how much dewormer should I give my horse? It's hard to tell from a distance, but we’re happy to assist in estimating your horse’s weight.

EquiSal tapeworm test a great alternative!

The EquiSal tapeworm test is an innovative saliva-based test that shows whether your horse has a harmful tapeworm infection.

Stomach ulcers in horses, what can you do?

Stomach ulcers are inflammations of the stomach lining that occur when the protective mucosal layer is damaged.

Botfly eggs? Cause for panic?

We’re currently receiving many questions from horse owners about when to treat for botfly larvae and whether treatment is always necessary.

Sand colic? Prevention is better than cure

At Worm&Co, manure samples are always routinely tested for sand, but this remains a snapshot. That’s why we recommend testing yourself for three consecutive days from time to time.

Is manure testing useful in winter?

So, is manure testing in winter really useful or not? Let’s be clear: manure testing is always useful – even in winter.

Should mare and foal be dewormed preventively or not?

How should you approach deworming? Foals are vulnerable — should you deworm them routinely or not? We answer the most frequently asked questions.

What is a worm aneurysm?

Has your horse been showing vague symptoms for some time, but manure tests keep coming back negative?

A worm aneurysm occurs regularly in practice but is unfortunately often not recognized.

Can small strongyles be detected through blood testing?

Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. Your horse wasn’t quite fit, and the vet suggested doing a blood test.

Why fecal testing?

All our clients always receive an email reminder when it’s time for fecal testing or preventive deworming.

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