Blood WormsBlood worms (Strongyles) 34 different species
|
 | Strongyles are responsible for the most damage to horses
caused by any parasites. There are over 34 species of strongyles divided
basically into 2 groups. The large strongyle group has been the most
damaging until recently. The education of horse people concerning internal
parasites over the last 50 years and the development of new more effective
deworming medications has tremendously reduced the harmful effects of
strongyles in the horse industry. However, the prolific nature of the
worms has allowed them to withstand the effects of these deworming
medications. Some horses pass as many as 5000 strongyle eggs/gram of
stool. A drop of dew taken from a blade of grass in a pasture may
contain as many as 100 infective larva.
Some studies have indicated that 80%-90% of colic
in horses are caused by strongyles. Both large and small strongyles
have been proven to cause colic. The larva stages of large strongyles
migrate throughout many tissues in the body of the horse such as liver,
arteries, and intestinal lining. Small strongyle larva exist in the lining
of intestine and cause colic when they exist in large numbers.
|
Ordering 
