This message is from: Lori Albrough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jon & Mary Ofjord wrote: > Peg could you elaborate on this for me? I've not heard anything negative > about the ivermectin group of dewormers, only the moxidectin based > products.????Inquiring minds want to know.
There is a current feeling that both ivermectin and moxidectin are hard on horses because they so effectively wipe out worms that they leave the horse's systems unchallenged, hence likely to become lax and let in other intruders (such as coccidia). Kind of similar to antibiotics upsetting the balance of nature. My vet told me that since ivermectin has become popular, they have seen a *huge* increase in coccidiosis in cattle. Also I've heard it said that these wormers contribute to leaky gut syndrome (which I don't know if I believe in) which is purported to be a cause of all number of bad things. No one knows for sure though. I still think that rotating wormers, picking up paddocks, and perhaps doing fecals to see if you need to worm is a good approach. I don't use moxidectin at all - due to poor packaging that allows you to easily give too much. Also my vet says not to give it to preg mares, so I don't give it to anyone. I do use ivermectin in the fall as a boticide and at other times as well. I think the general trend is to be very mindful of what chemicals we are giving and whether they are really necessary. Lori
