Lungworms are more commonly found in donkeys.They can infect horses too, but they don’t multiply in great numbers. That does not mean that horse owners should think less of them as health threats to horses.
Donkeys + Horses = Higher Risk for Lungworm
Lungworms are not a serious threat to a horse, unless you have donkeys joining the herd. They are relatively large and can grow up to 8cm long.
When horses feed on grass pasture, they can inadvertently ingest the worm’s infective larvae. It takes less than a week for these larvae to migrate to the lungs. They mature and lay eggs in a span of a few months. When your horse is infected by lungworms, the common symptom is coughing because the worms can cause respiratory tract irritation. The coughing mechanism helps in the transportation of the eggs to the windpipe then through to the mouth. Eggs enter the intestinal tract when the horse swallows. These worms are passed out via manure. With favorable conditions, the eggs of lungworms can reach their infective stage in as short as 5 days.
Ivermectin granules- potent dewormer against lungworm
Like other issues with equine parasites, they only become serious if there is no proper control of worm burdens, and cases with horses of this nature are rare. If you see your horse persistently coughing, he may probably have lungworm infestation, but it does not mean that other factors will not be considered. If you’re team of horses are near donkeys, consult your veterinarian for any advice about lungworm infestation, keeping in mind that other problems may also cause coughing in horses.
Fortunately, lungworm infestation is not serious and is easily treated by equine dewormers, unlike other equine parasites, which are more notorious by nature. Ivermectin horse dewormer is the best choice of deworming agent to control lungworms. It is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic agent that targets a wide range of common parasites in horses, including the lungworms.
Use ivermectin AbIver™ for the prevention of lungworm problems. AbIver™ is an equine deworming granules that is effective in eliminating common internal parasites. For a successful worming program, consult your veterinarian and for a wide range of affordable equine dewormers, choose Abler.
