EquiDuo Liquid Horse Wormer (Ivermectin & Praziquantel)

Description

How does EquiDuo Liquid Horse Wormer work?

EquiDuo is an ivermectin-praziquantel wormer for horses, combining two active ingredients to deliver two complementary modes of action.

Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone that disrupts parasite nerve and muscle function, eventually causing paralysis and death. It provides broad-spectrum activity against roundworms, strongyles, bots, lungworms, pinworms, threadworms, and skin parasites. 

Praziquantel works by damaging the outer skin of tapeworms, leading to paralysis and detachment from a horse’s gut wall. It effectively kills all three equine tapeworm species: Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna, and Paranoplocephala mamillana (adults, immatures, heads, and segments).

Which parasites does EquiDuo Liquid Horse Wormer control? 

EquiDuo Liquid Horse Wormer controls the full parasite spectrum affecting horses, including: 

• Bots (Gasterophilus spp.) — oral and gastric stages
• Hairworm [Trichostrongylus axei] 
• Intestinal threadworm [Stongyloides westeri] 
• Large-mouthed stomach worm [Habronema muscae] 
• Large strongyles (S. edentatus, S. equinus, S. vulgaris, Triodontophorus spp.)
• Lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi)
• Pinworm (Oxyuris equi)
• Roundworm (ascarids) [Parascaris equorum]
• Small strongyles (Cyathostomum spp. ,Cylicocyc/us spp., Cy/icostephanus spp., Cylicodontophorus spp., Gyalocephalus spp., Coronocyclus spp., Parapoteriostomum spp., Petrovinema spp., Poteriostomum spp.) — adults and L4 larvae, including BZ-resistant strains
• Skin lesions (summer sores [Habronema spp. and Draschia spp.] and cutaneous onchocerciasis [Onchocerca spp.]) 
• Tapeworms (all three equine species) [Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna, and Paranoplocephala mamillana] — adults, immatures, heads, and segments

Why a liquid format matters in multi-horse operations 

Most horse wormers in Australia are sold as individual paste syringes, which each only treat one horse. For owners with two or more horses, the product costs and labour add up quickly.

A single 250mL pack treats approximately 10 large horses (500kg each) at a fraction of the per-animal cost of paste alternatives like Equimax or Equimec Plus. The included syringe administers metered doses over the tongue, making it difficult for horses to spit out. It can also be delivered via stomach tube (nasogastric intubation) by a veterinarian for difficult animals.

EquiDuo’s liquid formula offers a range of practical advantages over paste, including: 

• A much lower cost per horse on multi-horse properties
• Less product wastage (dose exactly what you need, then store the rest)
• Precise dosing by weight thanks to the metered syringe applicator
• Less stress during administration due to a lower volume per dose

When should EquiDuo Liquid Horse Wormer be applied for best results? 

EquiDuo is ideal for the autumn and spring worming windows in Australia.

• From March to May, an ivermectin-praziquantel combination will target worms and bots accumulated over summer, whilst also controlling tapeworms.
• From September to November, EquiDuo addresses parasites acquired over winter and provides tapeworm control headed into the warmer months.

Understanding chemical resistance when using EquiDuo

Though EquiDuo Liquid Horse Wormer is highly effective, it’s critical to note that minor resistance to ivermectin has been reported amongst small strongyles in Australia. However, this is not yet widespread. 

To understand whether you’re encountering resistance, conduct an annual faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). This will confirm whether ivermectin is still effective on your property and can be used to guide your worming rotation.

Importantly, EquiDuo is not a strategy in itself. It should always be used as part of a planned rotation that includes different chemical groups across the year. Alternating with a pyrantel- or moxidectin-based product sparingly (no more than once annually) can help to slow resistance development.

Frequently asked questions 

What is the difference between EquiDuo and Equimax?

Both EquiDuo and Equimax contain the active ingredients ivermectin and praziquantel, and cover the same parasite spectrum. The key difference is format: Equimax is a paste syringe, while EquiDuo is a multi-dose liquid. For single-horse owners, paste may be more convenient, however multiple-horse owners will benefit from the significant cost savings of a liquid formula.

How many horses does a 250mL pack of EquiDuo Liquid Horse Wormer treat?

A 250mL pack of EquiDuo will treat approximately 10 horses at 500kg bodyweight, or 25 horses at 200kg bodyweight. The exact number will depend on your horses’ weights.

When should EquiDuo tapeworm horse wormer be used? 

Tapeworm treatments are typically recommended twice a year in Australia, in autumn and spring. EquiDuo covers tapeworms in every dose, so you don’t need to worry about administering a separate tapeworm-specific product alongside other parasite control measures.

Can EquiDuo be used on foals?

Yes, EquiDuo can be used on foals. However, always refer to the Product Label for minimum age and weight requirements before administering to foals or young horses. 

Are liquid wormers harder to administer to horses compared to pastes? 

No, liquid wormers are very similar in application to pastes. EquiDuo’s included dosing syringe delivers a dose over the tongue, making it difficult for the horse to spit out. Many horse owners find the lower volume of liquid easier to administer than bulkier paste formulations.