|
A new British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)
survey amongst veterinary practices, supported by
the Animal Health Company Merial, aims to help horse
owners receive greater support from their vets when
it comes to worm related disease and parasite control.
The BEVA initiative is asking vets to record cases
of intestinal parasite-related disease seen in equine
practice.
BEVA Council member Dr Tim Brazil explains: “This
new initiative is designed to help vets better understand
intestinal-parasite related diseases in horses, ponies
and donkeys. Our knowledge of the extent of internal
parasitic conditions seen in equine practice across
the UK is limited, so we need to know more!”
Although many horse owners seek advice from trained
professionals in different industry sectors on anthelmintic
(“wormer”) usage, confusion can arise
as to the most appropriate strategies for control
of intestinal worms. Some veterinary practices are
now using worming programmes, worm egg counts and
health plan initiatives to help guide owners toward
sound scientific and sustainable worming programmes.
However better information as to what disease problems
we are facing and the scale of worm-related diseases
can only help veterinary surgeons to better support
horse owners.
“The results from this initial 12 month project
will hopefully form part of an equine health programme
to help BEVA members educate clients on the dangers
of worms, and how to avoid them,” adds Dr Brazil.
The project is supported by Merial Animal Health,
and results will be reported in the media.
For more information on planning
your horse’s worming speak to your veterinary
surgeon.
|
