Q:Is it possible to detect pinworms in a fecal egg count test? One of my horses rubs his rump on the stall wall at every opportunity, and he begs me to scratch him under his tail... Generally, my horses are wormed two times per year, usually with an ivermectin product. I administered the Panacur 5-day-double-dose fenbendazole regimen last winter, but did not conduct a fecal count before or after treatment. However, I wonder if that would be accurate or conclusive; in my opinion it's easy for vets just to say, "Oh, yeah, worm them." Any suggestions?

A:Pinworms (Oxyuris equi) are common in horses, but they usually do not cause much harm. Some horses scratch their tails, but this can be due to many other conditions as well. Occasionally, we find pinworm eggs in the feces--the eggs are very characteristic... However...

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Also in the February issue ...

• The Respiratory System

• Skin Conditions

• Managing Small Pastures

• Grass Roots Parasite Control

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