Lifecycle: Tapeworm
eggs develop in the oribatid "grass" mite, over 2-4 months.
When infected mites are swallowed, tapeworms mature inside the horse
in 4-6 weeks.
How It Gets Into Your Horse: The horse ingests infected mites.
Dangers If Left Untreated: Severe tapeworm infection can cause
intestinal irritation. Fatal intestinal blockage can occur as worms accumulate
at the ileocecal junction - the 3-way junction between the small intestine,
large intestine, and cecum. New research shows that over 50% of
horses tested in the US have been infected with tapeworms.
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