User:Justsomethingextra/Stronglyoids Westeri

STRONGLYOIDES WESTERI

A genus of nematode,Stronglyoides Westeri, also known as a threadworm, is a parasite that makes foals sick causing diarrhea, weakness and weight loss. The parasite is passed along from mother to foal by milk. Adult worms are found in the small intestine and lay eggs that are passed through the feces.



Symptom
Severe diarrhea, weakness, weight loss and poor growth. However, some infected foals will remain alert and still continue to feed from their mother.

Diagnosis
Eggs are found in the feces of the infected foal.

Cause
Strongyloides westeri are passed as larvae to a nursing foal through an infected mare’s milk. Adult horses may also become infected by larvae penetration through the skin or mucous membranes (such as the gums) or ingesting the larvae.

Treatment
The foal and mare must be dewormed. It is recommended that the mare must be dewormed the day they give birth while the foal be dewormed several times in the first three weeks. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication that will help reduce the numbers of worms that are passed to the foal through milk or prevent the passage of the larvae altogether.