The adult equine tapeworm usually resides at the junction between the small intestine and the cecum. Here, the tapeworm causes inflammation, which can lead to colic. In the Netherlands, only one species is of major importance: Anaplocephala perfoliata. This is a short, yellow-green tapeworm with a triangular body. Adult worms measure between three and eight centimeters in length. The head of the tapeworm is equipped with four hooks, allowing the parasite to firmly attach itself to the intestinal lining of its host.
The tapeworm has an indirect life cycle, meaning it requires an intermediate host to develop. The intermediate host for the tapeworm is a free-living forage mite, which eats tapeworm eggs from the manure. These mites are very common in pastures and are also frequently found in hay and straw. Horses ingest the forage mites infected with tapeworm larvae while grazing. The larvae then develop into adult tapeworms within 6 to 10 weeks. Old, overgrazed pastures are a risk factor for horses, as they contain large numbers of forage mites.
Tapeworm infections pose a health risk to your horse. A few tapeworms are not a problem and are nearly impossible to prevent entirely. However, heavier tapeworm infections can cause various types of colic. Horses may show vague signs of colic over several weeks, with the colic episodes becoming more severe and more frequent. In some cases, the horse may suffer from an acute, severe colic episode, often caused by an intestinal blockage. Most commonly, tapeworm infections lead to mild colic, due to slower passage of food at the junction between the small and large intestine. The build-up of food stretches the bowel at that location. Tapeworms are often found in clusters. This is due to their specific and relatively small preferred location: the junction between the small and large intestine.
Because tapeworms release their eggs in segments, regular fecal testing is not suitable for detecting tapeworms. Occasionally, tapeworm eggs are found during standard fecal tests, but these are coincidental findings. The only conclusion that can be drawn from such a result is that the horse does have tapeworms. However, if no eggs are seen in the manure, we still cannot rule out a tapeworm infection. Since tapeworms shed their eggs in segments, there is no correlation between the number of eggs found and the severity of the infection, unlike with other gastrointestinal parasites.
The new EquiSal Tapeworm Test detects tapeworms based on the horse’s immune response. If tapeworms are present, the immune system produces very specific antibodies in the saliva. The EquiSal Tapeworm Test identifies these specific antibodies. There is a direct correlation between the level of antibodies in the saliva and the number of tapeworms present.
If the EquiSal Tapeworm Test shows that your horse is infected with tapeworms, we will provide you with a personalised treatment recommendation. This ensures your horse’s health is prioritised and prevents unnecessary worming. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions. Our enthusiastic team will be happy to help!
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