Author Topic: Flukicide? (Read 9350 times)

Kimbo · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2015, 07:23:56 pm »

Well.... all very interesting. Ive spoken to Westgate Labs. They say the ideal fluke testing period is January to May and that testing now is quite likely to produce false results in horses.
They were very helpful and have sent me lots of info to read. They also said that although horses have quite a good tolerance of juvenile flukes, by the time symptoms of adult infestation shows up there will already be a lot of liver damage done

Kimbo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2015, 02:12:47 pm »

The plot thickens!

Ive had the droppings of both ponies tested for fluke. Interestingly, Hamish, who has lived here since February, is negative but Katalin, who only came to us about 6 weeks ago, is positive. My vet believes that she probably came to us already infected but of course now both ponies will have to be treated for fluke, as will all the lambs when they arrive ( unless they have already been done).
I now have the horrible task of using Fasinex, which is unlicensed for horses and can be highly toxic to them. Both Westgate and my vet ( who has spoken to a specialist at The Dick) say I cant leave Katalin untreated, and Hamish has to be treated too as he might also pick it up $:-\$ Apparently I just have to keep my fingers crossed that they don't have a bad reaction to the Fasinex.
Ive been given the telephone number of the Prof in Edinburgh and Im going to talk to him on Monday....everyone is being very kind but Im so worried. Especially for Hamish who is fluke-free at present ( as far as we can tell).

Its going to be a very expensive job too as we are now facing 6 weekly fluke counts until all the grazing animals test negative for 3 months: it might well break the bank

Hellybee · « **Reply #17 on:** June 21, 2015, 09:28:35 am »

Panacur equine guard is fenbendazole.

Hellybee · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2015, 09:31:47 am »

Sorry sorry, getting some of me chefs mixed up

Kimbo · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2015, 06:21:58 pm »

Im starting to lose heart over this issue, largely because it seems to be one step forwards and 2 steps back

Our filly has tested positive for fluke so we have to treat both ponies. We are having to use cattle Fasinex, which is an emulsion usually given as a drench. Its not thick like horse wormers are. Obviously drenching isn't really an option for ponies so the vet suggested I disguise it in a jam sandwich!
Fatty Hamish ( who tested negative) gobbled his jam sandwich down no problem. But Katalin, who is the one who tested positive, of course is having none of it. She wouldnt eat it in a jam sandwich. She wouldn't eat it in a feed of chop. She wouldn't eat it in oats and treacle with sliced apple mixed in. She wont eat it by hand or from a feed bucket. Ive now used loads of this expensive Fasinex but got none of it down her!
In fairness she's one of those rare Highlands who isn't really food-orientated.
Does anyone have any suggestions. Ive tried so hard that Im close to crying now

Kimbo · « **Reply #20 on:** June 24, 2015, 06:26:42 pm »

By the way, when I spoke to the Prof at Edinburgh Uni he said east Scotland is a hot spot for liver fluke and horse-owners don't realise the risks they are taking

farmvet · « **Reply #21 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:18:01 am »

Either use a lamb dosing syringe or borrow a hook doser from your vet or a friendly farmer. Also use 24% fasinex instead of 10% so you only need 25ml for a 500kg horse.

Kimbo · « **Reply #22 on:** June 25, 2015, 08:17:51 am »

thank you Farmvet I will seek one of those out today.
Could I please ask you something else?
It is the 24% Fasinex Im using. If I manage to get it down her I will still have a huge bottle of the stuff left. I know the sheep version is only 10% but is it possible to dilute the 24% one down to 10% to dose our 8 sheep with it? Otherwise it will all be a very expensive exercise.
( I kind of know what your answer might be; Im just hoping theres a way of cutting down on the costs

)

Buttermilk · « **Reply #23 on:** June 26, 2015, 08:20:51 am »

We use a dosing syringe to squirt the stuff into the ponies. Not a problem.

Kimbo · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2015, 03:55:36 pm »

Dosing syringe only succeeded in getting it all over me and the bedding!

BUT.... I cooked a thick apple puree, mixed some rolled oats in it and the Fasinex in that. Thank god, she ate it! AT LAST!

Kimbo · « **Reply #25 on:** June 30, 2015, 04:04:47 pm »

Crikey, theres always some problem isn't there? I wish that 52 years ago I had taken up embroidery rather than bloody horses

Now Katalin's pooh is very loose. Its not exactly scouring but its close. I presume its the flaming Fasinex and the vet agrees. Im trying to get live yogurt down her....some hope!

farmvet · « **Reply #26 on:** July 12, 2015, 11:38:34 pm »

Sorry for the delay in replying kimbo. No you cant dilute fasinex 24 with water to use for sheep. I checked that last year with the manufacturer. If you've big sheep you can use it as is on a prorata dose. Glad you got your pony dosed!

Kimbo · « **Reply #27 on:** July 14, 2015, 10:08:14 pm »

thank you farmvet. Im resigned to the fact that I will be wasting a lot of cattle Fasinex. Good thing so much of it ended up on the floor then?

Luckily my Texel neighbours are going to let me have the few sheep doses I will need, god bless them.

...and filly's sloppy poohs dried up of their own accord after 3 days, so that's good too