Practices will be able to offer customers increased support for their worming programmes in 2010, as part of a new initiative from Eqvalan® manufacturer, Merial.
Eqvalan product manager Claire Edmunds said: "The SMART worming campaign is designed to encourage owners to Simply Monitor, Assess Risk and, if necessary, Treat with the most appropriate wormer.
"We know that worming can be confusing for horse owners, so the SMART approach is designed to help them manage their worming programmes more easily, whilst also ensuring that wormers are used in a way that may help prevent the development of resistance.
Practices purchasing Eqvalan Duo during February and March can get 4 tubes free when they purchase 20. In addition, to kick start the SMART campaign for each order on the above offer, Merial will supply 20 free Worm Egg Count vouchers worth £10/€10 each. For those practices with their own testing facilities, the company is also offering promotional support to help encourage increased uptake and client buy-in.
Claire added: "As well as continuing with the successful free worm egg count campaign available for practices during February and March, owners will also have access to a personalised on-line planner, as well as text and email alerts.
"The campaign is being supported with new point of sale material and a prominent consumer advertising campaign. In addition we also have an extensive VN SQP CPD training programme planned for 2010.
"With the consensus of expert opinion on the future of worming firmly behind the use of targeted programmes incorporating worm egg counts, there has never been a more important time to get closer to clients and help them with their worming strategies."
If you would like further information, please contact your local territory manager or call the Merial Customer Support Centre on 0845 601 4236.
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Despite theoretical concerns about over-worming and development of resistance, I'm not aware of any proven resistance to the Eqvalan class of wormer. My reservations about this scheme is that owners may be tempted to wait until ova are seen b4 worming-by this time the emerging larvae will have already caused intestinal damage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We now take it for granted that we will have our beloved horses with us until their mid-twenties. When I was a child, a 14/15 year old horse was considered aged. At this stage it became very difficult to prevent weight loss due to malabsorption. Pre fenbendazole, it was impossible to kill redworm b4 they had emerged, and already caused the damage !!!!!!!!!!!
All we could do was pasture-rotate, graze with cattle/sheep, and worm every month to reduce the number of egg-laying redworms.
I'm scared that this idea of testing b4 worming, as opposed to just worming regularly, will result in horses' healthy longevity decreasing. The problem is that repeated damage now will not show it's effects for many years
Wynne