Top 5 Equine Dewormers in Canada — Equest Plus Tape, Panacur PowerPac, Zimecterin Gold, Strongid P and Eqvalan Duo, with their Canadian Brand Names, Actives and Parasite Spectrum
Published on Monday, August 25, 2025
Before anything else, three of the five products below carry a different name on a Canadian shelf. Equest Plus Tape is Zoetis's Australia/New Zealand label for the moxidectin-plus-praziquantel gel sold here as Quest Plus Gel, and Zimecterin Gold (US) and Eqvalan Duo (UK and Ireland) are both Boehringer Ingelheim's 1.55% ivermectin / 7.75% praziquantel paste, which Boehringer manufactures in Canada as Eqvalan Gold. Same actives, different carton. This category covers equine deworming and parasite-control solutions available in Canada, including oral pastes, drenches, pour-ons, and integrated rotational or targeted programs aimed at common parasites such as strongyles, tapeworms and bots. Consumer demand has shifted from blanket schedules to evidence-based strategies: horse owners and veterinarians now prioritize fecal egg count (FEC)-guided protocols, resistance management, ease of dosing, safety profiles, and combination therapies that broaden parasite coverage. Products that fit into a monitoring-driven program and that offer clear labeling, proven efficacy and professional support are especially appealing in the Canadian market, where seasonal grazing patterns and regional parasite pressures shape practical deworming decisions.
Top Picks Summary
Equest Plus Tape
Equest Plus Tape combines the long-acting macrocyclic lactone moxidectin with the tapeworm-active praziquantel for single-dose control of strongyles, bots and tapeworms; it is delivered as an oral gel in a weight-calibrated syringe. Its long-acting moxidectin controls encysted small strongyles in a single dose and extends the interval between treatments, which can reduce dosing frequency versus short-course options like Panacur PowerPac, though per-dose price is typically higher than inexpensive generics such as Strongid P.
$30 – $60
Panacur PowerPac
Panacur PowerPac (fenbendazole) is a proven, cost-effective multi-day regimen favored for treatment of heavy ascarid burdens and encysted cyathostomes; its low price and well-documented efficacy make it a go-to choice for targeted therapeutic interventions. While it does not address bots or tapeworms like ivermectin+praziquantel combinations (e.g., Zimecterin Gold, Eqvalan Duo), its affordability and role in resistance-management strategies give it strong financial and tactical advantages in a rotational program.
Zimecterin Gold
Zimecterin Gold combines a macrocyclic lactone with praziquantel to deliver broad-spectrum coverage—including bots and tapeworms—in a single dose, positioning it as a market-leading, convenient solution for routine control. Technically comparable to other ivermectin+praziquantel products, its established brand presence and distribution often translate into reliable local supply and competitive bundle pricing versus some alternatives.
Strongid P
Strongid P (pyrantel pamoate) is a low-cost, safe option especially useful for foals and pregnant mares, delivering effective control of ascarids and many small strongyles at a budget-friendly price point. Although it lacks activity against encysted larvae and tapeworms that praziquantel-containing products address, its financial advantages and OTC availability make it a practical backbone for cost-conscious rotational deworming programs.
$20 – $50
Eqvalan Duo
Eqvalan Duo (ivermectin plus praziquantel) provides broad-spectrum, single-dose control of nematodes, bots and tapeworms and is positioned as a market leader in the UK/EU for comprehensive, one-step parasite control. Its technical strength—proven ivermectin pharmacology combined with praziquantel—paired with competitive regional pricing and widespread availability makes it an efficient alternative to US-centric brands, helping reduce repeat treatments and associated labor costs.
$40 – $80
What the Research Says About Deworming and Resistance
Contemporary veterinary research emphasizes targeted, data-driven deworming to maintain horse health while slowing the development of anthelmintic resistance. Studies and field surveillance up to the mid-2020s show that routine fecal egg counts, selective treatment of high-shedding individuals, and thoughtful use of combination products or distinct drug classes help preserve drug effectiveness. Evidence-based protocols reduce unnecessary treatments, support long-term pasture health, and allow veterinarians to tailor products and timing to local parasite ecology.
Fecal egg count (FEC)-guided treatment reduces the total number of deworming events per horse per year while maintaining parasite control and lowering selection pressure for resistance.
Targeted selective treatment (TST) — treating only animals that exceed an established egg-count threshold — is associated with slower emergence of drug resistance compared with calendar-only programs.
Combination therapies and drugs from different classes can provide broader-spectrum control, but their use should be balanced with stewardship principles to avoid accelerating cross-resistance.
Benzimidazole-class failures (fenbendazole/oxibendazole) have been documented for many equine strongyle populations; macrocyclic lactone (ivermectin/moxidectin) efficacy has historically been strong but vigilance is increasing as reduced efficacy reports emerge.
Regular monitoring (FECs, larval cultures when needed) plus periodic veterinary efficacy checks (post-treatment FEC reduction tests) are recommended to confirm product performance on-farm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dewormer is best for tapeworm plus strongyles?
Zimecterin Gold is a good fit because it combines ivermectin with praziquantel for broad coverage, including bots and tapeworms, in a single-dose oral syringe; it’s rated 4.4.
Are these dewormers sold in Canada under different names?
Three of them are. Equest Plus Tape is Zoetis's Australia/New Zealand label for the moxidectin + praziquantel gel sold in Canada as Quest Plus Gel. Zimecterin Gold (US) and Eqvalan Duo (UK and Ireland) are both Boehringer Ingelheim's 1.55% ivermectin / 7.75% praziquantel paste, sold in Canada as Eqvalan Gold. Strongid P keeps its name here.
Does Panacur PowerPac treat encysted small strongyles?
Yes—Panacur PowerPac uses a fenbendazole PowerPac protocol targeting encysted small strongyles, and it’s given as an oral paste over five consecutive days; it’s rated 4.1.
What makes Equest Plus Tape convenient?
Equest Plus Tape is an oral gel given by weight-calibrated syringe that combines moxidectin plus praziquantel for single-dose control of strongyles, bots and tapeworms; its long-acting moxidectin also controls encysted small strongyles in one dose and extends the interval between treatments. It is rated 4.3.
Conclusion
In Canada, effective parasite control is less about fixed rotations and more about integrating products into a measured, FEC-guided plan. The five products highlighted here — Equest Plus Tape, Panacur PowerPac, Zimecterin Gold, Strongid P, and Eqvalan Duo — each play a role depending on the individual horse, pasture risk and veterinary recommendations. Only two of them carry a label claim against encysted small strongyles: moxidectin in a single dose (Equest Plus Tape / Quest Plus Gel) and fenbendazole at 10 mg/kg for five consecutive days (Panacur PowerPac). For many Canadian horse owners seeking broad-spectrum coverage that integrates well into resistance-smart protocols, Equest Plus Tape stands out when paired with routine FEC monitoring for ease and spectrum of control. We hope you found the information you were looking for; if you want to refine or expand your search, try the site search or consult your veterinarian to tailor a program for your stable.