In defense of "tubing" horses

Barton W. Rohrbach Dr., University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Abstract

J.C. Hubbs suggests that the value of the article concerning tube deworming of horses (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (1990) 196 (5) 712-716) was diminished due to the authors' bias, and that it did not reflect experience in private practice. The introduction of convenient oral formulations and the consequences are discussed. The authors of the original article, C.R. Reinemeyer and B.W. Rohrbach, respond by commenting that the nasogastric tube offers no parasiticidal or other health advantage, is more expensive to the client, and is more invasive than other methods. They go on to consider the economics of parasitological control, including the position of veterinary practitioners and the future role of the profession.