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  Discussion on Tapeworms
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 20, 2000 - 6:04 am:

I have a 2 y.o. filly which has had colic about six time in the last six weeks. On one occasion it was three days in a row that I had to call the vet. One the last occasion she was drenched witha drench that kills tapeworms. After this I found many tapeworm segments in her manure. Can tapeworms cause colic to this extent. I cannot find much information on tapeworms, with most publications stating that tapeworms are not a great menace in horses.

Posted on Thursday, Apr 20, 2000 - 8:17 am:

Hello Sue,
Did you have the segments identified positively? I find many folks mistake what is in there horses manure.

In general they do not cause a lot of pathology since they do not suck tissue like other parasites. However they do lodge themselves into the bowel wall with the use of hooks that leave small ulcers behind. In large numbers they can cause a distinct inflammatory response in the bowel. Several studies have shown an increase in colic in horses with tape worm burdens.

Some areas do seem to have serious problems with tape worm control and with this finding you should consider yourself one and begin an aggrssive antitape worm program. Perhaps a double dose of Strongid paste per horse 4 times a year would be suitable for a while.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 24, 2000 - 9:32 am:

Dr. O,
Thanks for the reply. The segments were definitely identified as tapeworm. I have since drenched all other horses on the property and all have voided tapeworm segments within 24 hours of being treated. However, the filly I mentioned again went down with colic three days after the treatment - so maybe it wasn't the tapeworm causing the colic. We have tried just about everything, - had blood tests, urine samples and abdominal fluid analysis. She is now on antibiotics in case of an abcess. Is there anything else that you can suggest that could be causing the colic?

Posted on Monday, Apr 24, 2000 - 4:33 pm:

Tthe damage does not repair instantly and may even worsen temporarily, so I would not rule it out. We know heavy burdens are associated with colic. As to other possibilities there are dozens. For suggestions see Equine Diseases: Colic and GI Diseases: Colic in Horses: Diagnosis and Treatment of Colic.
DrO
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