Bimeda

Oakbrook, Illinois
By Rebecca Eddy

Did you know that parasitism is the most common equine disease? Have you ever wondered if your deworming program is actually doing what it’s intended to do? You may notice the dull hair coat, hoof problems, weight loss and colic, but most of the damage goes unseen. Perhaps you head to your local feed store or tack shop and pick up a tube or two of dewormer. But, do you know anything about the company who manufactures what you are about to give your horse?
Established in 1960, Bimeda® is committed to providing market-driven and high quality animal health products – predominantly pharmaceutical and FDA products, servicing veterinarians and consumers.
They continually monitor the industry for new products and new product ideas. The company’s development program is based on analyzing the market and providing those products that meet the needs of end-users.
One such product is Equimax. This is the only combination ivermectin/praziquantel dewormer safe for all horses, including foals four weeks of age and older, pregnant and lactating mares, and breeding stallions. Dr. David Ellefson, Director of Technical Services for Bimeda, explains, “Internal parasites can rob nutrition from your horse. We have identified specific problems that occur with parasites, including colic, gastrointestinal problems, impactions and intussusception (when one portion of the bowel telescopes into another section, like a telescope).”
“Historically, people haven’t taken tapeworms seriously,” reminds Dr. Ellefson. “The Southeast region of the United States contains some of the largest numbers of tapeworm prevalence in the country. It’s especially important to include a twice a year deworming specifically for tapeworms in this region.”
One benefit of Equimax is that it offers broad spectrum and tapeworm control in an apple flavor. Bimectin and Exodus, two other products produced by Bimeda, are also apple flavored providing a big health benefit that tastes better for the horse, making it easier for the handler trying to administer it. Speaking of administering, Bimeda has taken into account that a large percentage of horse owners are women. The syringe is ergonomically designed to have a shorter barrel, making it easier for people with small hands to manipulate. The locking ring to guarantee proper dosage is also a key feature.
The apple flavor is important to ensure acceptance by the horse. “You don’t want rejection of the product which leads to under dosing,” cautions Dr. Ellefson. When under dosing occurs, you promote parasite resistance. Every time you deworm, you are selecting for resistance by killing off the susceptible worms. Thus, acceptance is highly important. Equimax has the advantage of deworming more pounds per syringe than other dewormers (enough active ingredients to treat horses weighing up to 1,320 lb.), so owners with large horses don’t risk under-dosing. Those with yearlings or ponies can do two with one syringe.
There are many schools of thought on how to decrease resistance – long rotation, short rotation and no rotation. The truest method is to test your horse to determine which class he falls into – low, medium or high carrier – based on the fecal eggs shedded and treat accordingly. This is best determined by the attending veterinarian or horse farm.
While December is not a month that most consider deworming at the top of their priority list, it makes the perfect stocking stuffer for your horse that will really benefit him. For more information, visit www.bimedaus.com or www.equimaxhorse.com.

Equimax is FDA-approved to effectively treat the most common equine parasites, including:
Tapeworms
Anoplocephala perfoliata
Large Strongyles (adults)
Strongylus vulgaris (also early forms in blood vessels)
S. edentatus (also tissue stages)
S. equinus
Triodontophorus spp.
Small Strongyles (adults, including those resistant to some benzimidazole class compounds)
Cyathostomum spp.
Cylicocyclus spp.
Cylicostephanus spp.
Cylicodontophorus spp.
Small Strongyles (fourth–stage larvae)
Pinworms (adults and fourth–stage larvae)
Oxyuris equi
Ascarids (adults and third– and fourth–stage larvae)
Parascaris equorum
Hairworms (adults)
Trichostrongylus axei
Large-mouth Stomach Worms (adults)
Habronema muscae
Bots (oral and gastric stages)
Gasterophilus spp.
Lungworms (adults and fourth–stage larvae)
Dictyocaulus arnfieldi
Intestinal Threadworms (adults)
Strongyloides westeri
Summer Sores caused by Habronema and Draschia spp. cutaneous third-stage larvae
Dermatitis by Neck Threadworm microfilariae, Onchocerca sp.