Parascaris equorum, the horse roundworm, is a very large (females may be up to 15 inches long), yellowish-white parasite that may be passed in the feces of foals and young horses.
Typically, adult horses develop an immunity to this parasite; therefore, roundworms primarily infect young horses less than 2 years of age.
Clinical signs include:
- Unthriftiness
- Potbelly
- Rough hair coat
- Slow growth
Some young horses develop nasal discharge accompanied by a cough as a result of larvae migration.
See Ascarids in Horses for more information.
