News Straight from the horse's mouth

Westgate Labs Steps Up to Support British Grooms

"We are delighted to come on board as sponsors to support the fantastic work of the BGA. Grooms are such an integral but often vulnerable part of the workforce on the frontline of horse care and deserve recognition and representation for the invaluable services they provide.

Winter Parasite Control 2023/24

Which Parasites to Consider and What to Target

There is one dangerous parasitic stage of the small redworm that we need to be particularly aware of at this time of year as it can have fatal consequences. Winter is the season to consider how we tackle the possibility of encysted redworm. This means either blood testing or treating with an appropriate wormer.

Christmas Opening Hours 2023

For the laboratory and office

Over the Christmas Holidays our lab and office will be operating a reduced hours service but we’ll test all samples, report results and send any shop orders each day there is a post. We'll be back to our normal hours from Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

Westgate wins two industry accolades at the National SQP Awards 2023

at the National SQP Awards 2023

We were overjoyed to take home two trophies from the National SQP Awards 2023, winning Online Retailer of the Year and Marketing Director Claire Shand named Equine SQP of the Year (Suitably Qualified Person) at a glittering event in London on Friday 10 November. Read the press release here!

Updated Guidance for Tapeworm Control

Positive EquiSal Results and Resistance

Horse owners are being urged to act now to prevent wormer resistance to tapeworm treatments. The advisory comes after recently published research found a lack of efficacy to both praziquantel and pyrantel, our only licenced treatments for equine tapeworm (Nielsen 2023). In response to this worrying development, Austin Davis Biologics, who developed the EquiSal saliva test for tapeworm, have issued updated guidance on the use of the test with the aim of putting a bigger emphasis on management to break the lifecycle of this parasite and reducing the reliance on chemicals.

It's Still Too Early for a Winter Wormer!

DON'T TREAT FOR ENCYSTED REDWORM JUST YET

As we wake up to the first autumnal frosts of the season, it may be tempting to get on with worming for the possibility of encysted redworm. But hang fire! This parasitic stage of the small redworm can have fatal consequences so it is important that we tackle it at the appropriate time.

Vacancies to join our friendly team this autumn!

On the frontline of delivering sustainable parasite control

*ALL POSITIONS NOW FILLED* We are currently recruiting for new members of the team to help us deliver our award-winning animal health services from our busy postal laboratory in rural Northumberland. Full time positions sought, no laboratory experience necessary.

Autumn Parasite Control 2023

for your horse

A warm, wet summer is helping parasites to remain very active on the pasture as we head into the autumn months and could also extend bot fly activity too. To help protect your horse remember to get those worm egg counts for redworm and ascarids into the lab this season to keep on top of any potential infections. If you haven’t tested or treated for tapeworm in the last six months it’s also time to think about that now.

Updated - RCVS issues new prescribing guidelines for POM-V medicines

including specific guidelines for antiparasitics (wormers)

Updated 8/9/23: The RCVS recently approved new guidance on prescribing prescription-only veterinary medicines. The regulations, that were to come into effect on 1 September 2023, have now been delayed until 12 January 2024. Further clarification from BEVA confirms that neither POM-VPS wormer sales, nor the praziquantel only treatment available as a vet special on cascade are affected. Good news for horse owners, equine health and welfare and our battle with wormer resistance!