Larval culture

The thing about large and small strongyles

Strongyle egg

Large strongylids are very rare in Switzerland. However, they are very dangerous and can seriously harm the horse. It is exactly the other way round in the case of the small strongylids: these are very common, but far less harmful than the large strongylids. Unfortunately, it is impossible to distinguish between the eggs of large and small strongylids using a microscope. This requires a so-called larval culture.

In order to exclude the large strongylids, the Vetsuisse Faculty recommends that each stable/facility is tested for the presence of large strongylids once a year. Such larval cultures are time-consuming and normally cost at least twice as much as a routine faecal examination.

However, in your position as a dworm client, you are in luck. dworm is offering to carry out one larval culture per facility at the price of a normal faecal examination.

And here’s how it works:

1. You speak to your colleagues and appoint one responsible person per stable
2. You complete the form opposite online
3. We check that you are already one of our clients and then send you your personal voucher by email
4. You buy a routine dworm complete set from your veterinary surgeon
5. You take a collective faecal sample from up to 8 horses at your facility (a grape-sized piece of faeces per horse is sufficient and this will ensure there is enough room for everything in one dworm box)
6. You enclose your personal voucher when you send in the sample (please print off)
7. We will send you the results as usual by email and within 14 days.