It depends. While summer is generally not a peak parasite transmission time in many parts of the country, some horses may require a more aggressive schedule that includes deworming during the summer. The key is to work with your veterinarian to conduct fecal tests to determine your horse’s shedding status (how much and of which parasites he is shedding), then customize the deworming protocol. Low egg shedders typically require only two dewormings a year, whereas high shedders may require up to six treatments. General deworming tips to keep in mind: – Most deworming treatments should be administered during periods of parasite transmission and not during cold winters or hot, dry…

For the third year in a row, equine influenza virus cases in the United States are increasing Equine influenza virus is one of the leading respiratory diseases in the United States and the number of horses infected has been on the rise(1) Since 2008, Merck Animal Health has collected more than 4,700 samples from horses presenting with signs of acute infectious upper respiratory disease and/or acute neurologic disease as part of an ongoing research program. The two leading diagnoses, based on samples submitted from horses of all disciplines and ages across the United States, have been equine herpesvirus-4 and equine influenza virus(1). In an effort to protect horses against these…

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. has partnered with Merck Animal Health to bring you a series of blogs based on current horse health. This first post was written by Dr. Bryant Craig, DVM, Merck Animal Health Equine Technical Services Veterinarian. While all intestinal parasites are concerning, one of the most lethal threatens horses during their first 18 months of life. The Suspect Ascarids, also known as roundworms, are migrating parasites that travel through the bloodstream to the horse’s liver and lungs during their juvenile stage before returning to the small intestine to develop into a mature parasite. Because of this migration, clinical signs of an ascarid infection can vary…