Adult tapeworms in horses: Clinical significance

The role of the equine tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata in cases of colic caused by ileocecal junction abnormalities has recently become increasingly evident; new data suggest that the risk of spasmodic colic and ileal impac tion colic increases with infection intensity in affected horses. Diagnosin g tapeworm infection by traditional fecal flotation methods is often unrewa rding, and many false-negative results occur. Equine anthelmintics are usua lly not effective against tapeworms; however, both pyrantel and praziquante l have been shown to be capable of eliminating A. perfoliata infections in horses.