The next Abbey & Oakhill Puppy Party is Tuesday 17th August 2010
Equine Winter 09/10 Newsletter - DOWNLOAD NOW!Moomin - Cyathostomiosis
Moomin presented with colic , diarrhoea and severe weight loss. She responded well to painkillers and anti-spasmodic drugs, but episodes of colic recurred and became more frequent.
It was possible that Moomin was suffering from gastric ulceration, gastrointestinal damage due to a worm burden, or the possibility of an abdominal tumour.
Gastroscopy of the stomach revealed no evidence of gastric ulceration and fluid taken from the abdomen suggested that there was no evidence of an abdominal tumour. Blood samples showed a low level of protein and evidence of parasitic disease, whilst analysis of the droppings confirmed that Moomin was suffering from a large worm burden.
Moomin began an intense regime of treatment including worming preparations, steroids and anti-inflammatories. After a prolonged treatment period, the episodes of colic subsided, and Moomin started to gain weight again.
Moomin’s protein levels have now returned to normal and she is back to her normal happy self.
This case highlights one of the problems that can be encountered when horses are not wormed adequately or are not following a well balanced worming program.