Zoetis Equine US, part of a global veterinary pharmaceutical company, is running a campaign to ask end consumers in the US to ‘buy less de-wormer’ for their horses. Surprisingly, these drugs are also freely available to purchase for horses in the UK without a prescription, and with a mere self-assessment. The point of the campaign is to reduce anthelmintic resistance. [Source].
In this short blog, we extrapolate this interesting development and consider the frequency of de-worming of our companion animals. We are proponents of simple faecal egg count tests to help caregivers decide if they should worm their dog or cat in the first place. We expect updated guidelines to be issued in the UK in due course, especially due to increasing concern regarding hookworm resistance in dogs.
There exists a wide range of products that make the gut more hostile to worms, such as Verm-X and Phytopet Wormwood. Some of these are taken all year round, while others are on a three-day schedule each month. We would call these deterrents. However, if your dog or cat, puppy or kitten appears to have an existing worm burden or you can visibly see tapeworm segments or other types of worms in your pet’s faeces, we do recommend a chemical de-wormer. Consult with your vet for appropriate options. We suggest this is then followed by a pre- and probiotic to bring the gut back into balance.
Whilst on this subject, furry rabbit ears (and any other hairy chews for that matter) are not ‘natural de-wormers’. A de-wormer (an anthelmintic) is a drug that is tested and proven to kill worms. Furthermore, there are no studies of which we are aware that show that feeding fur-on prey or chews ‘scrapes’ worms away from the intestinal walls. As a responsible, independent retailer, we would hold our statements to scrutiny and avoid misleading advertising such as this.
Dogs, cats and ferrets who are fed raw food that has been commercially prepared and sufficiently frozen are at no greater risk of catching worms than anyone else. Read our blog about this misconception. However, if your dog or cat hunts and eats prey such as wild rabbits or scavenges on wild animal carcasses, it is likely they may catch a tapeworm. Look out for little white segments that look like grains of rice in your pet’s faeces and consult with your vet regarding an appropriate treatment. If you are going to be travelling with your companion, guidance is available on the Government website on the de-worming requirements to and from the UK.
We watch with interest the UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate‘s updates regarding the de-worming protocols of companion animals, having already updated their guidance to the farming industry. We understand dewormer resistance is less pronounced in dogs and cats, but perhaps a review is due of the standard three-month cycle of just-in-case de-worming adult dogs and cats.