PRODUCT INFORMATION

Know Your Dewormer- Read the Label

Do you find yourself buying a dewormer, but confused by the labels? What are the differences and similarities? Or do you take the time to read the label?

The bad news is many people don't understand label information or take time to read it. The good news is equine dewormers must be granted approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which requires all brands to be labeled with valuable information to help you be a smart consumer.

Key items to look for on your dewormer package:

Active Ingredient
The active ingredient, key to any FDA-regulated product, is usually listed in parentheses next to the brand name, for example "ivermectin," as in the case of HORSE HEALTH Equine Ivermectin.

Indications
If you want to know which parasites a dewormer kills, look for a heading like "Indications" or "For Control of...". These are claims of effectiveness that have been proven to the FDA and approved for labeling. Make sure you're getting broad-spectrum control. And look carefully; some dewormers only target a few parasites, while others are effective against a much broader range.

Based on FDA-registration info, dewormers like HORSE HEALTH and IVERCARE™ (ivermectin) currently provide the broadest spectrum control, each covering 35 species and stages of worms and bots combined. QUEST® (moxidectin), is approved for control of 23 species and stages combined. A single dose application of SAFE-GUARD®, PANACUR® (fenbendazole) is approved to control five species and stages - and up to 13 with additional dosing.

For bot protection, be certain that the label on your dewormer says "boticide." Ivermectin controls all gastric and oral stages of bot larvae (G. intestinalis and G. nasalis), appearing on the label as "Gastrophilus spp." Moxidectin provides limited control of G. intestinalis (second and third stages), and G. nasalis (third stage). Veterinarians recommend boticide treatment once or twice per year. If you are using a pyrantel tartrate daily dewormer like CONTINUEX® or STRONGID® C, add a boticide like ivermectin to your treatment schedule, since pyrantel tartrate is not approved for bot control. Many paste dewormer compounds do not offer bot protection, such as STRONGID® P and ROTATION™2(pyrantel pamoate) dewormers, and all the pastes in the benzimidazole class.

Dosage and Administration
This section of the label shows the FDA-approved directions for proper use of the product. Read this section before you deworm your horse to:

  • Learn how to give the right amount of paste based on the weight of your horse. Weight settings on the syringe plunger help to "lock-in" the right dosage. Avoid over dosing.
  • If you have a very large horse, keep in mind that some dewormer syringes treat a greater weight than others.
    Make sure you use enough, even if the brand you use requires more than one syringe per treatment. Avoid under dosing.
  • Some dewormers require special dosing to kill specific parasites. For example, one standard syringe of SAFE-GUARD® will treat a horse weighing up to 550 pounds for ascarids - two standard syringes are required to treat up to 1,100 pounds. To kill fourth stage larvae of strongylus vulgaris in a 1,100 pound horse, two syringes for five consecutive days is recommended.
  • Learn how often you should deworm your horse. Some labels provide specific guidelines on a dosage schedule, while others don't. The typical recommendation for broad spectrum paste deworming is every six to eight weeks due to the possibility of reinfection, which can vary with a horse's daily living areas and exposure to other horses. Some owners rely on fecal exams to periodically check for parasites. You may be able to get some good advice from your vet, tack shop, friend or neighbor. Always check the label for specific treatment restrictions with mares, foals or horses intended for food.
  • If a dewormer claims that you'll need fewer treatments for parasite control, read carefully. For example, QUEST (moxidectin), bases a recommended schedule of four treatments per year upon a label claim for suppression of strongyle eggs - that's only one type of parasite you need to consider when deworming your horse. When in doubt, check with your vet.

Storage Instructions
The label may include special instructions for proper storage of a paste dewormer. Each brand varies, so be sure to check the label and follow instructions. If you have questions, you might ask your vet or look on the manufacturer's Web site.

Warnings and Cautions
Like any other drug or controlled substance, equine dewormers should be respected as serious medicine. When you follow label instructions, dewormers are generally very safe and effective. But the cautions and warnings on the label, if ignored, can lead to reduced effectiveness, injury or even death.

Look at the label (or label insert if included) for answers to the following issues:

  • Possible side effects or adverse reactions. Examples:
    • QUEST® -- Transient depression, ataxia, or recumbency in very young or debilitated animals.
    • SAFE-GUARD® - Local or systemic hypersensitive reaction, particularly with higher doses.
    • HORSE HEALTH -- Swelling or itching in horses carrying heavy neck threadworm infections.
    • For more information on FDA-tracked adverse reactions, scroll to Tables 5-6 at:
      http://www.fda.gov/cvm/INDEX/fdavet/2001/
      may-june.htm#adverse       on the Internet.
  • Paste formulation and label instructions are approved for horses only - unapproved use in other animals can lead to dangerous adverse reactions.
  • Product is not for use in horses intended for food purposes.
  • Proper disposal of used syringes.
  • Medical warnings on accidental ingestion, skin or eye contact.
  • Age restrictions. Be certain to check the label for any restrictions on approved use in foals.
  • Keep out of the reach of children.

Lot Number and Expiration Date
The lot number stamped or printed on a paste dewormer package and syringe label is important. It enables manufacturers to track doses as they move from manufacturing to distribution to retail, and provides a way to isolate limited production batches in case of a product defect or consumer recall. It may seem like a hassle, but you might want to save the box as a record.

The product expiration date provides you with an "official" effective date to meet label claims. Over time, effectiveness fades. Make it a habit to check the date before you buy the product.

For more information on label claims and equine parasites, check out www.fda.gov or manufacturer's Web sites like www.intervet.com, or www.farnamhorse.com or talk with your equine veterinarian.

®CONTINUEX is a registered trademark of Farnam Companies, Inc.
™ROTATION is a trademark of Farnam Companies, Inc.
®QUEST is a registered trademark of American Cyanamid Company
®STRONGID is a registered trademark of Pfizer, Inc.
®SAFE-GUARD is a registered trademark of Intervet, Inc.
®PANACUR is a registered trademark of Intervet, Inc.

©2003 Horse Health Products