FECC

06/06/2024

FECC will be closed from the 22nd of June and will reopen the 8th of July.

If you are providing a sample to test after worming get your sample to us before the dates above.

23/05/2024

DID YOU KNOW …. There are 6 horse wormers listed by the APVMA* as having EXACTLY the same active chemicals that are safe for dung beetles and treat for encysted strongyles.
Did you also know that some suppliers are sponsored or paid to only promote 1 brand and not the others, FECC is independent and follows advice from the governing bodies.
The wormers are: Ultimum, Equest gel plus tape, Equigel with tape, Neovemox plus tape, Pradectin with tape, Elevet +
*Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority
Note: not all 6 wormers are pictured as I couldn’t find a photo of it.

19/05/2024

GO GO GO - its time to worm!!
Horse owners have been waiting for the first frost to arrive so that we can worm our horses. If you only worm you horse once or twice a year now is the time.
If you haven't already purchased a wormer make sure you choose one that treats both bots and tapeworms - look for wormers with active ingredients of Moxidectin and Praziquantel.
If possible carry out an FEC before worming so that we can carry out an FECRT after worming to test for resistance and the effectiveness of your chosen wormer.
Happy Healthy Horses have owners who carry out regular FEC's and only worm when necessary.

23/04/2024

Autumn worming and why we still carry out FEC tests.
FECC often receives the question "If all horses are being wormed in late autumn/early winter, why bother carrying out FEC tests??" Well because of a few factors:
- The before and after wormer FEC test is the ONLY way to check if the wormer you used effective and to monitor for signs of resistance.
- Monitoring what species of parasites are present in your horse - of particular importance for young horses where we need to monitor for the presence of Roundworms (Ascarids).
- Along with microscopic inspections of your horses sample we also visually check the sample for parasites that are too large for microscopic identification eg bot larvae, Pinworms etc.
- Recent studies have indicated that changes in EPG could be an indicator of metabolic issues in your horse eg Cushings.

Tomorrows FECC post will be about worming horses in northern Australia in autumn.

19/04/2024

Autumn worming and which wormer to use.
As mentioned in yesterday's post, FECC recommends using a wormer with active chemical (ingredients) of Moxidectin and Praziquantel. In Australia we are lucky and have 5 different wormers approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the purpose of treating Bots, Tapeworms and Encysted Strongyles (along with many other equine parasites).
FECC have listed the wormers below - we are NOT sponsored by any brand so can provide independent unbiased advice. Note we have only listed 4 of the 5 wormers as the fifth is difficult to find for purchasing.
Tomorrow's post will be about why we recommend carrying out an FEC before and after the autumn worming.

Equest Plus Tape Long Acting Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
Ultimum Long Acting Horse Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
Pradectin with Tape Long Acting Horse Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
Equigel with Tape Long Acting Horse Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
NeoVemox Plus Tape Boticide Gel (Moxidectin &Praziquantel) - can be difficult to source

18/04/2024

Autumn worming - waiting for the first frost (mid April to June) and what wormer to use

The aim of modern worming practices is to reduce the number of times a year we worm our horses and only worming when required based on the evidence supplied by carrying out FEC (egg count) tests. However, ALL horses should be wormed at LEAST once a year (regardless of FEC results) and that "mandatory" worming time is after the first frost of autumn (mid April to June).
Why? because worming after the first frost of autumn means that adult bot flies have been killed by the frost and there is no chance of reinfection. Tapeworm larvae have moved into the correct part of your horses stomach, encysted small strongyles have emerged from their cysts (triggered by the cool weather) and are all susceptible to wormers. FECC advises not to wait till the end of winter to conduct this treatment as the larvae/eggs of bots and tapeworms may have already passed from your horse into the environment and you have missed your chance to break their lifecycle.
Not all wormers are suitable for the autumn worming. FECC advises that your wormer should have the active chemicals (ingredients) of Moxidectin and Praziquantel).
**Tomorrows FECC post will discuss which wormers to use and some general pointers about picking suitable wormers**

28/02/2024

FECC had a wonderful evening learning all about dung beetles 🪲 and how important correct worming practices are in protecting/encouraging dung beetle populations. We look forward to sharing this information with you in the upcoming weeks.
Thank you to Canberra Equestrian Centre for the invite and ACT NRM for allowing us to attend.

13/01/2024

Introducing "Worm of the Month" - each month FECC will be focusing on a different equine parasite and presenting a series of informational posts about them.
This month we will be shining the microscope spotlight on will be Small Strongyles / Cyathostomins.

12/01/2024

FECC has multiple drop off locations for samples throughout Canberra. The easiest and best option is to drop your horses sample off at Horseland Canberra whilst you are doing some shopping.
Alternatively, you can contact FECC to arrange sample collection at Belconnen or Tuggeranong town centres.
Agistment centers, riding schools or properties with multiple horses please contact FECC about collection options as we are more than happy to travel to you.

10/01/2024

FECC is up and running again for 2024 and we are keen to start counting those parasite eggs.
The grass is growing at the moment which means it's perfect conditions for parasites to reproduce and infect our horses. So, if you didnt worm in spring now is the time to get an FEC test done and see if your horse needs worming.
Do you have an identified high shedding horse, now is the time to retest to see if they need worming.
And for those that needed a follow up test done (FECRT) after worming but were waiting for us to reopen we are here and ready to go.

31/12/2023

FECC will be back and counting parasites from the 10th of January, see you all then.

15/12/2023

FECC would like to thank all of our clients and partners for their support throughout the year and wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas and we will see you in the new year.

07/10/2023

Test before you worm this spring. Did you know not all horses need to be wormed at this time of year only those with a high shedding result. How do you know if your horse is a high shedder? Get an FEC test done. Tests are $15 per sample with discounts available for multiple horses. Samples can be dropped off at Horseland Canberra or arrange to meet FECC at a drop off location in Tuggeranong, Belconnen or Chapman.

09/09/2023

TEST BEFORE YOU WORM YOUR HORSE THIS SPRING
Did you know that not all horses need to be wormed in Spring?? Only those that fall into the HIGH shedding category need to be wormed. How do you know if your horse is a high shedder? A FEC test will help to determine which shedding category your horse falls in and if it needs to be wormed. If you just worm without testing because you always do in spring, you are contributing to the wormer drug resistance problem by over worming and worming horses that don't need to be done. Drop off locations for testing by FECC is available at Horseland Canberra, Chapman, Belconnen and Tuggeranong.

27/08/2023

Spring time worming practices

At this time of year it's all about limiting the amount of pasture contamination from parasite eggs and the potential of transition of parasites to your horse. With the warm weather, rain and grass growing parasites are moving into peak egg production and eggs can hatch in as little as 4 days.

ALL horses should have a FEC carried out and based on these results we advise only worming the moderate to high shedders. By treating the high shedders, we treat the horses that are responsible for 80% of the pasture contamination from parasites, the remaining horses will not need worming. However, we do recommend carrying out an FEC 4 weeks after significant rain and grass growing periods, just to keep an eye on shedding potential.

To sum up our advice is:

carry out an FEC on all horses before worming,

worm the moderate/high shedders - carry out a FECRT 14 days after worming to check for resistance,

Keep monitoring the high shedders, with FEC tests, throughout the warm weather and grass growing periods,

If in doubt carry out an FEC – Test before you worm.

26/08/2023

Faecal Egg Count Canberra (FECC) is a locally run business that has been operating for the last 3 years, servicing Canberra and surrounds with cost effective, prompt and accurate parasite egg counts for horses and the occasional sheep and goat. Horse tests are $15 per sample, with multi horse discounts available. Sample drop off locations include Chapman, Tuggeranong and Belconnen town centres. Please contact us for information about mail services. FECC also carry out on site testing for agistment centres or if you have a large number of horses. Feel free to contact FECC with any questions and remember to 'Test before you worm'.

26/08/2023

Faecal Egg Count Canberra (FECC) has been operating for the last 3 years servicing Canberra and surrounds, offering cost effective, prompt and accurate parasite egg counts, identification and information for horses (and the occasional sheep and goat). Horse tests are $15 per test and a multi horse discount is also available. On site testing services are available for agistment centres or if you have a large number of horses. Sample drop off locations are located in Chapman, Tuggeranong and Belconnen town centres. For mail services please contact us.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and remember to 'Test before you worm'.

19/08/2023

Its shedding season!!! Thankfully only hair at the moment, but spring is around the corner. And that means it's time for FECC to emerge from our winter doona cave and get ready for peak worm shedding season. Over the next few weeks, we will share some posts about who we are and what we do as a business, and then we will start sharing some of the most up to date information about horse parasites, management tips and general parasite information. Till then may your horses shed quickly, and weather stay warm.

14/06/2023

Now that our lovely FECC clients have carried out their autumn worming practices we enter into winter and the quiet parasite time of the year. For FECC this means tax returns and microscope maintenance. For horse owners/managers it's time to switch to external parasite management as the internal parasites have slowed down their egg and larvae production.
External parasite management can include things like manure removal from yards and paddocks and cross grazing paddocks with different livestock species.
Reasons to carry out a FEC in winter include:
Visible worms/eggs/larvae in your horses manure,
New horse arrives on property or in paddock, with uncertain worming history,
Or we have rain and then a significant period of warm weather leading to grass growth - test the identified high shedders.

12/05/2023

Why bother with a FEC test when Bot worms, Tape worms and encysted Strongyles are not included in the count?? This is a question we get asked a lot.
Whilst the FEC epg reported only includes Strongyle eggs, the wormer we recommend for use in autumn treats Bots and Tape worms and Encysted Strongyles.
FEC and FECRT are the only way to determine if the wormer you used was effective.
FEC tests are the only way to determine if your horses parasites have developed resistance and you need to switch the active chemical group.
FEC is used to determine which shedding category your horse is in, which can be used to plan when your needs worming and reduce the overuse of wormers.
All samples are visually checked for signs of Bot, Tape and Pin worms and if present its reported to owners.

10/05/2023

With autumn worming underway we start to see a lot of posts and advertising stating that there is only one wormer brand to use because its the only wormer that treats Bots, Tapeworm and Encysted Strongyles. In Australia we are lucky and have 5 different wormers approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for this purpose.
FECC have listed the wormers below - we are NOT sponsored by any brand so can provide independent unbiased advice.
Equest Plus Tape Long Acting Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
Ultimum Long Acting Horse Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
Pradectin with Tape Long Acting Horse Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
Equigel with Tape Long Acting Horse Wormer & Boticide Gel (Moxidectin & Praziquantel)
NeoVemox Plus Tape Boticide Gel (Moxidectin &Praziquantel) - can be difficult to source

08/05/2023

GO GO GO - its time to worm!!
Horse owners have been waiting for the first frost to arrive so that we can worm our horses for Bots and Tapeworms. If you only worm you horse once or twice a year now is the time.
If you haven't already purchased a wormer make sure you choose one that treats both bots and tapeworms - look for wormers with active ingredients of Moxidectin and Praziquantel. Remember to use a weight tape or scale so that your reduce the chance of underdosing your horse with wormer.
If possible carry out an FEC before worming so that we can carry out an FECRT after worming to test for resistance and the effectiveness of your chosen wormer.
Happy Healthy Horses have owners who carry out regular FEC's and only worm when necessary.

14/04/2023

Autumn worming = Hold that wormer!! FECC is advising horse owners to wait until the first frost to worm your horse in autumn. Why? because the frost will kill the adult bot flys and reduce the chance of reinfection, bot flys and encysted Strongyles are what we are targeting this season.
FECC advises the following
* Wait for the frost or if you are in an area that doesn’t get frost wait for consecutive nights of cold weather
* Carry out an FEC test before worming
* Choose you wormer based on active ingredient not brand or price
* Choose a wormer that treats bot flys - combination of Moxidectin and Praziquantel
* Carry out a FECRT 2 weeks after worming to check if the wormer was effective or if there are indicators of resistance.

04/03/2023

Clarification on our previous post about Autumn worming. FECC is NOT recommending horses only get wormed once a year.
We recommend ALL horses get wormed at LEAST once a year.
If you are only worming once a year the Autumn/first frost period is the time of year to do it. Why? 1) It will be the correct lifecycle time to treat Bots and Tapeworms 2) Good time of year to treat Strongyles - including the encysted strongyles.
*Not all wormers treat bots/tapeworms and encysted strongyles - feel free to contact us for advice. Your wormer choice should not be based on $ price.

02/03/2023

HOLD THE WORMER!!
Its March and Autumn has arrived in Australia, this typically signals its time to worm your horse – especially if they are only being wormed once a year. Remember the aim of working is to interrupt the life cycle of parasites and slow resistance to worming chemicals. So put the wormer down and back away and let me explain why we need to wait till late Autumn/after the first frost.
The autumn worming treatment is when we look at targeting certain parasites such as Bots and Tapeworms. Horse that are consistently classed as low shedders and are only being wormed once a year, late autumn is the time of year to do it. At the same time, we will also treat for encysted Strongyles.
Bots flys are out now laying eggs now, owners should be inspecting their horses for eggs and removing them, fly repellent and rugs are also useful at this time. However, eggs will still be ingested by horses. Wormers are only effective on Bot larvae once they are in the stomach and they only get to the stomach 3 to 4 weeks after being ingested by the horse. If you worm before the larvae get to the stomach there is no effect. By late autumn Tapeworm burdens are at their peak and they are now located in the ileocecal junction where they are developing and maturing and susceptible to treatment.
Current advice is to treat in late Autumn or after the first frost. The first frost will kill the Adult bot flys and therefore there is no more chance of reinfection. It is also advised not to wait till the end of winter or spring to conduct this treatment as the larvae/eggs of Bots and Tapeworms may have already passed from your horse into the environment and you have missed your chance to break the lifecycle.
Whilst we are waiting for late autumn and the first frost now is the time to conduct a FEC to as for many its has been a few months since your horse had a FEC. An FEC at this time will give an indication of your horses' health, help determine their shedding status and identify an unusual worms. By carrying out an FEC now you will be able to do the follow up test, FECRT, after you have wormed which will allow us to determine if the wormer you used was effective and pick up any signs of drug resistance. PS you cannot carry out a FECRT without an initial FEC BEFORE worming.

24/02/2023

Don't forget to book in your agistment centre/riding/pony club for a group weigh in day!

Mobile scales for horses - but also fit the 🐕 🐶

30/01/2023

An important part of equine parasite control is controlling flies. Fly traps are a useful solution for around stables, arenas and muck heaps.

Fly Traps & Fly Control - BUY NOW: https://amacron.com.au/collections/fly-control

29/01/2023

28/01/2023

Clients that utilise the Belconnen drop off option, this upcoming week i will be in Belconnen on Monday and Tuesday.
Send FECC a message to organise a day and time.

13/01/2023

Happy New Year!
FECC has reopened for the year and is ready to receive samples, feel free to send us a message or email to arrange delivery.

In the following weeks we will present a series of posts about worming resistance - what it is, what wormers it effects, what you can do to help slow resistance and what role a FEC test plays in this cause.