A Faecal Worm Egg Count (FEC) is a smart move before worming, not instead of it—though it depends on what you’re aiming for. Doing an FEC first tells you if your animal (assuming livestock or horses here) actually has a worm burden worth treating. It counts the eggs in their manure, giving you a clear picture of parasite levels. If the count’s low, you might skip worming, saving money and reducing resistance to dewormers. If it’s high, you’ll know worming’s needed and can pick the right product.
Worming without an FEC is like guessing—you might treat unnecessarily or miss a real problem. Vets often recommend an FEC first, especially in a herd, to target treatments and keep worms in check long-term. That said, if you’ve got a known heavy infestation or a tight schedule (like before moving animals), worming straight away might make sense, followed by an FEC later to check results.
