Types of worm
Roundworm – Large Redworm – Tapeworm – Lungworm Larvae – Giardia – Pin Worm – Encysted Small Redworm
Roundworm (ascarids)
Roundworms are large creamy white worms. They are not as common as redworm, and are more usually found in young horses. Infection can have serve consequences, with large worm burdens leading to intestinal blockages, poor growth and even death. Symptoms of infestation can include a pot belly appearance, poor coat condition and poor growth in youngsters.
Large Redworm (strongylus vulgaris)
Large redworm is far less common than the small redworm. In severe cases it can cause blockages in blood vessels, damaging organs and causing internal bleeding.
Large redworm can be detected in a worm count and will come under Strongyles on test results. This is because eggs from large redworm and small redworm have a very similar appearance therefore differentiation of the two is harder however, the treatment is the same.
Tapeworm
The most common tapeworm in the UK, Anoplocephala perfoliata, is flat and can grow to about 8 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. The body consists of numerous segments (proglottids) and the head (scolex) has four suckers (bothridia) which the tapeworm uses to attach itself to the gut wall. They mainly reside at the ileo-caecal junction and adjacent areas of the intestine and caecum. Infected horses pass tapeworm eggs onto the pasture where they are consumed by the intermediate host, free-living oribatid mites. The eggs develop into larvae within the mite. When the mite is ingested by a grazing horse, the larvae are released within the horse where they develop into adult tapeworms capable of completing the cycle by releasing eggs. The proglottids mature into a sac of eggs (gravid proglottids) which breaks up, releasing the eggs whereupon the cycle begins again.
Due to the tapeworm’s egg release mechanism, burdens cannot be reliably detected by faecal egg counts (FEC). Although tapeworm eggs can sometimes be detected in FECs, the true tapeworm burden can be substantially underestimated as eggs can only be counted if the segments break up and release the eggs uniformly within the faeces.
We recommend that horses are tested every 6 – 12 months depending on individual risk factor, alongside regular faecal testing.
Lungworm Larvae (dictyocaulus arnfieldi)
Lungworm is a lung parasite. The larvae burrow through the intestine walls once eaten by the horse or donkey, travelling through the body to the lungs where they develop into adult lungworm. It can take around 6 weeks to reach maturity. Infection of lungworm irritate the lungs, causing coughing, breathing difficulties and can cause bronchitis.
Lung worm can be trickier to detect in horses as they may be infected but the parasite may not reach adult egg laying stages. Due to this we test three samples, taken over a three day period using the Baermann technique and sedimentation.
Testing should be carried out if your equine is coughing, wheezing or has a mucus discharge and you suspect lungworm. For donkey’s lungworm egg counts should be tested routinely as part of your worming programme.
If grazing your horses / ponies alongside donkeys then it is advised that you carry out a faecal egg count for your donkeys, who are assumed to be the natural host of the parasite (as well as your horses if lung worm is suspected). Lungworm larvae can live on pasture a long time, therefore good pasture management can help reduce infection for the equine (and donkeys). Donkeys and equines can live together quite safely, provided that you adopt a good de-worming programme with your vet.
Donkeys, which usually show few signs of the infection, are the prime source of pasture contamination for horses.
Giardia (giardiasis)
Giardia is less talked about in horses however can be the cause of intermittent diarrhoea. Giardia is a cyst and is more commonly found in younger equines/ foals. Giardia infects the small intestine and can be spread through pasture. It is also a zoonotic as it can be passed from animal to humans. If your horse has unexplained diarrhoea then a giardia test would be beneficial. Giardia is an emerging problem is dogs but can be found in companion animals and ruminants. We offer an Antigen Rapid test kit for Giardia.
Pin Worm
Pinworm are not a true intestinal parasitic worm but can be highly irritating to horses! Horses ingest pinworm eggs which then travel to the intestine where they hatch and live. Instead of being passed out in droppings, Pinworm make their escape and lay eggs around the anus. It is then common to see horses itching their tails/ bum on anything that may relieve the itch!
As eggs are not passed in the horses faeces, it is unlikely a worm count will show pinworm eggs. For a more accurate result we use a sticky tape impression which is taken from around the hairless area of the horses anus and then viewed under a microscope.
Encysted Small Redworm
Small redworm larvae can encyst within a horse’s gut wall throughout the year. This can lead to the damaging of the gut, which can cause diarrhoea and colic. Please note this does not show up on a worm count test so please speak to your vet.
Available test kits for Equine
You can now purchase your freepost Animal specific worm egg count from our website. You will receive your results within 48 hours of receipt by email or post whichever you prefer. Our staff are fully qualified Amtra SQP’s able to advice on Anthelmintic products.
Equine
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Feclab Laboratories
Feclab Specialise in Faecal Egg counts for Companion Animals, Equine, Livestock & Poultry.
⚠️ Sheep owners - High Worm Egg Counts ⚠️
We are currently seeing a sharp rise in sheep FEC EPG. If you have not recently tested we would strongly recommend testing now!
FEC *(including Haemonchus estimated percentage)
www.feclab.co.uk/product/haemonchus-kit-ovine-sheep-fec-and-estimated-haemonchus-percentage-kit/
Standard FEC
www.feclab.co.uk/product/sheep-worm-count-kit/ ... See MoreSee Less
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POSTAL SERVICE DISRUPTION
We have had a notification from Royal Mail to state the following areas may be affected by staff shortages, causing possible disruption to the postal services in the following areas:
• Abingdon DO (OX13, OX14)
• Altens DO (AB10-AB12, AB35)
• Ashington DO (NE22, NE62-NE64)
• Ashton Under Lyne DO (OL5, OL6, OL7)
• Barry DO (CF63)
• Basingstoke DO (RG21-RG26, RG28)
• Bedford DO (MK40-MK45)
• Bicester DO (OX25, OX26, OX27)
• Blyth DO (NE24)
• Bradford North DO (BD1, BD2, BD3, BD8, BD9, BD10)
• Bracknell DO (RG12, RG42, RG45)
• Brecon DO (LD3)
• Brierley Hill DO (DY5)
• Calderway DO (WF12-WF14)
• Calne DO (SN11)
• Cambridge DO (CB1-CB5, CB21-CB25)
• Carmarthen DO (SA17, SA31, SA32, SA33)
• Carterton DO (OX18)
• Castle Bromwich DO (B35-B37, B40)
• Chichester DO (PO18, PO19, PO20)
• Clifton NG DO (NG11)
• Coalville DO (LE6, LE67)
• Corwen DO (LL21)
• Deal DO (CT14)
• Dudley DO (DY1-DY3)
• Dursley DO (GL11, GL12, GL13)
• Ebbw Vale DO (NP23)
• Fareham DO (PO14-PO17)
• Faversham DO (ME13)
• Flint DO (CH6, CH8)
• Frome DO (BA11)
• Gloucester North DO (GL3-GL4)
• Great Glen SPDO (LE8)
• Hull Central DO (HU1-HU3, HU5, HU9, HU12, HU19)
• Hyde DO (SK13, SK14, SK16)
• Ilfracombe DO (EX34)
• Inverclyde DO (PA14-PA19)
• Kidderminster DO (DY10-DY12, DY14)
• Kingswinford DO (DY6)
• Kingswood DO (BS15, BS30)
• Lee DO (SE12)
• Leiston DO (IP15-IP16)
• Lichfield DO (WS7, WS13, WS14)
• Llangollen SUDO (LL20)
• Loughborough DO (LE11-LE12)
• Malton DO (YO17)
• Mid Rhondda Ganol DO (CF39-CF40)
• Mildenhall DO (IP28)
• Nantwich DO (CW5)
• New Ferry DO (CH32, CH62, CH63)
• Newry DO (BT34 and BT35)
• Northwich DO (CW8, CW9)
• Nottingham City DO (NG1, NG3)
• Nuneaton DO (CV10, CV11, CV13)
• Okehampton DO (EX19, EX20, EX21)
• Orton Southgate DO (PE2, PE7-PE9)
• Oxford DO (OX1, OX2)
• Oxford East DO (OX3, OX4, OX33, OX44, OX49)
• Patchway DO (BS32, BS34, BS35)
• Penarth DO (CF64)
• Portslade DO (BN41 and BN42)
• Ramsgate DO (CT11 and CT12)
• Rugby DO (CV21, CV22, CV23)
• Sandy DO (SG19)
• Saxon Way DO (HU4, HU10, HU13-HU15)
• Shaftesbury DO (SP7)
• Shrewsbury DO (SY1-SY5)
• Sleaford DO (NG34)
• Southam DO (CV47)
• St Helens DO (WA9-WA11)
• Stalybridge SUDU (SK15)
• Stockport Central DO (SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SK5, SK7)
• Stourbridge DO (DY7-DY9)
• Stourport On Severn DO (DY13)
• Swindon DO (SN1, SN2, SN3, SN6, SN25, SN26, SN38, SN99)
• Thirsk DO (YO7, YO51, YO61-YO62)
• Thornbury DO (BS35)
• Tipton DO (DY4)
• Tiverton DO (EX16, EX18)
• Upton DO (CH30, CH49)
• Wantage DO (OX12)
• Warrington DO (WA1-WA2, WA4-WA5, WA55)
• Weston Super Mare DO (BS23-BS24, BS40)
• Witham DO (CM8)
• Wolverhampton NE DO (WV11, WV12)
• Wolverhampton NW DO (WV6-WV9)
• Woodbridge DO (IP12 and IP13)
• Yate DO (BS37)
It is important that you record your tracking number, even when posting in a letterbox so that you can check the status of your samples in this situation.
Thank you
The Feclab Team ... See MoreSee Less
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Wishing all of our customers, a very Happy Christmas! From all of the team, here at Feclab 🎅🎄🧑🎄 ... See MoreSee Less
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🎄📫CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES & POSTAGE 🎄📫
LAST DAY FOR POSTING SAMPLES BACK TO LAB:
UK: Friday 19th of December 25
Chanel Islands, Jersey, Guernsey IRL & ROI: Monday 16th of December 24
ORDERS PLACED
The last day for dispatching orders placed Via tracked 48 and Tracked 24 is: Friday 19th of December 25. It is worth noting that some orders may be delayed due to Royal Mail delays.
Please avoid sending samples between the 19th Of December and the 2nd of January
Please note: Samples sent between these dates may not be valid if held up in the Royal Mail system and may not be replaced. Recording your tracking number is essential.
If it is an emergency, please contact us via email.
🎄CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES FOR LAB AND OFFICE:🎄
24th Office - closed from 12pm
24th Lab – Closed from 12pm
25th - 26th - Lab & Office Closed
29th Lab open until 12pm (Office Closed)
30th - Lab open until 12pm (Office Closed)
31st December - 2nd January - Lab & Office Closed
5th of January - Open as normal
EQUISAL SAMPLES:
Last day for all tests in 2025 – 24th December.
Equisal suggest that samples are sent using Next Day Special Delivery (9am) that week to ensure they arrive in time for testing.
First 2026 test day for EquiSal testing - 6th January
Please note, Equisal are unable to receive samples over the holiday period. Royal Mail will be storing any post from 29th, 30th and 31st December for delivery to the laboratory on 2nd January.
Please avoid sending samples to Equisal during this time. All samples are stable for at least 3 weeks when stored at room temperature. ... See MoreSee Less
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🎉Exciting news! 🎉
A huge congratulations to Jasmine, our R-SQP who won Farm SQP of the Year 2025, at the National SQP Awards yesterday.
On top of that, she went on to win National SQP of The Year 2025 🎉 what a fantastic achievement, honour and huge surprise!
Thank you to the organisers and to the sponsors of the National SQP Awards Boehringer Ingelheim Chanelle Pharma ... See MoreSee Less
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Wish us luck!We’re proud to sponsor the Farm SQP of the Year at the National SQP Awards 2025!
SQPs play a vital role in animal health and farmer support across the UK, and we’re delighted to recognise their hard work and dedication.
Congratulations to this year’s finalists:
🔹 Jasmine Smith, Feclab Laboratories
🔹 Chloe Lewis, Nutrifec-
🔹 Caryl Haf Jones, Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers
We look forward to celebrating with you on 7th November in London!
#FarmSQPOfTheYear #AnimalHealthExcellence #SustainableFarming #ChanelleCares #NationalSQPAwards #SQP @followers @topfans ... See MoreSee Less
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**SCOPS** post 📣🪱📣🐑
Are you a sheep farmer that has experienced recent rainfall following the previous very dry and warm weather? If so, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is urging you to be extra vigilant in monitoring parasite burdens and lamb performance in your flock.
Nerys Wright, Technical Adviser for SCOPS, warns that the combination of recent rainfall and earlier dry conditions could create a perfect storm for increased worm challenges on pasture.
Find out more on the SCOPS website: www.scops.org.uk ... See MoreSee Less
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Edit: Now working again
Good morning,
Our website seems to be having that “Monday morning” feeling.
We are aware & are working to restore it☺️ ... See MoreSee Less
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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, from the Feclab Team ... See MoreSee Less
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