The wormer, Equitape, the only singe chemical praziquantel option for treating tapeworm infections in horses, was withdrawn from sale in October 2018.
In a turn of fortune for horse health, a manufacturer dedicated to the veterinary industry stepped up to fill this gap.
A praziquantel-only equine product has since been available to vets only, who can order it from BOVA, the specialist manufacturer.
Unlike other available wormers this product has not gone through the licencing channels to allow it to be sold in tack shops, feed merchants and other retail outlets, so is only available vis your vet.
Instead its classification as an unauthorised extemporaneous preparation limits it to sale by vets only, used exceptionally under the cascade system. While the manufacturer is inspected and approved by the VMD to provide assurance that the product is made to a specific quality the product itself has not been assessed.
Horse Worm Treatment Prescribing Options
with the availability of a praziquantel-only worming product
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Consultant vet to Westgate Labs, Carolyn Cummins MVB PhD MRCVS commented
“Retaining a species-targeted treatment option is a fantastic outcome for sustainable worming practice and will go a long way in helping us to tackle the major welfare threat of wormer resistance. Evidence based control combining regular testing and targeted treatment is the best chance we have of protecting our horses from endemic disease caused by parasite infection both now and in the future.”