When horse owners think of deworming, it isn’t often they also think of Las Vegas. But in the case of the Go With The Gold sweepstakes, the two go hand-in-hand.
Those buying ZIMECTERIN Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel) will receive a code during their checkout process which they can enter on the website www.ReThinkDeworming.com/go for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas and tickets to attend one of two premier equestrian events. The prize package includes airfare, hotel accommodations, event tickets and spending money for the prize winner and guest of their choice. Customers can also text GOLD to 38470 to receive a code.
Entries will be accepted until Sept. 30, 2014, and the winner will be announced in October. Complete contest rules can be found at www.ReThinkDeworming.com/go, a site that also has information about strategic deworming and controlling tapeworms.*
While some horse owners believe that as temperatures get colder the threat of parasites, including tapeworms, is lessened, that isn’t the case. “Controlling for tapeworms is critical because studies have linked them to spasmodic, impaction and intussusception-related colic,”1,2 says Megan Green, DVM, manager, Large Animal Veterinary Services, Merial. “The life cycle of tapeworms makes them a threat nearly year-round.”
For tapeworms to thrive, according to Green, they need both a definitive host where they mature, and an intermediate host where they reside in immature stages. The horse serves as the definitive host for the tapeworm, while soil mites are the intermediate host. Mites, which can be infected with cysticercoid (larval tapeworms), are found in pastures.3
Once a grazing horse eats the infected mites, the cysticercoid develops into adult tapeworms in the intestine of the horse within four to six weeks. The tapeworms are then passed through the horse’s feces back into the pasture, allowing the tapeworm life cycle to continue.3 Currently, there is no reliable fecal diagnostic test for tapeworm infections as there are for most other equine parasites.4 However, selecting a deworming product that contains praziquantel, which has been approved for the treatment of tapeworms in horses, is a way to help remove them.5
In addition to managing tapeworms, horse owners should control other parasites by working with their veterinarians to establish the most effective plans based on their individual horses’ needs. More information about effective deworming strategies and ZIMECTERIN Gold, can be found at www.ReThinkDeworming.com/go.
ZIMECTERIN Gold combines ivermectin, a leading ingredient that controls a wide variety of parasites, and praziquantel, an ingredient that specifically controls tapeworms. Together, they provide excellent equine parasite control. ZIMECTERIN Gold is approved to control more species and stages of equine parasites than any other brand, including benzimidazole-resistant small strongyles.6 It controls 47 species and stages of equine parasites in all.5,6
Plus, ZIMECTERIN Gold was the first dewormer approved by the FDA to effectively control tapeworms with a single dose. Tapeworms have been recognized as a significant threat to the health of horses.4
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 6,200 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with close to $2 billion of sales in 2013.
Important Safety Information
Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. In horses, there have been rare reports of swelling and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue following administration of ZIMECTERIN Gold. These reactions have been transitory in nature. Do not use in other animal species as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.
*Anoplocephala perfoliata
1. Proudman, C.J.; French, N.P.; Trees, A.J. Tapeworm infection is a significant risk factor for spasmodic colic and ileal impaction colic in the horse. Eq Vet Journal. 1998;30(3):194-199.
2. Barclay, W.P.; Phillips, T.N.; Foerner, J.J. Intussusception associated with Anoplocephala perfoliata in five horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1982;180(7)752-753.
3. Lyons, E.T,; Tolliver, S.C.; Drudge, J.H.; Collins, S.S. Tapeworms in Horses. University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture. Cooperative Extension Services. Available at:
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/pubs/vet32pdf. Accessed September 2, 2014.
4. Proudman, C.J.; Trees, A.J. Tapeworms as a cause of intestinal disease in horses. Parasitol Today. 1999;15(4):156-159.
5. Based on data provided on the ZIMECTERIN Gold label.
6. Based on data provided in the FDA Freedom of Information summaries.
