Final larvae culture data

The final fecal egg count/culture ID data (from the September 12 pooled fecal sample) was received from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Parasitology (Dr. Ray Kaplan's lab). The final culture showed a 98% infection with Haemonchus contortus and 2% Trichostrongylus.

Haemonchus contortus comprised the majority of the worm infection throughout the 2008 goat test, accounting for 96 to 100 percent of the eggs in the goats' feces. This "single" species worm load meant that the FAMACHA© system could be used to determine which goats required anthelmintic treatment.

The common name of Haemonchus contortus is the barber pole worm. Barber pole worms live in the 4th stomach or abomasum of the goat. They are voracious blood feeders and suck blood from the lining of the stomach, causing anemia and bottle jaw. FAMACHA© scores estimate packed cell volume (PCV) in a goat. Packed cell volume is a measure of red blood cells.

The common name for Oesophagostomum is the nodule worm. Nodule worms are found in the large intestines. The common name for Trichostrongyles is the black scour worm. Black scour worms are found in the first three meters of the small intestines. The common name for Nematodirus is the thin-necked intestinal worm. These worms live in the small intestines. None of these worms tend to be as pathogenic as the barber pole worm.

In the first sample (June 7) cultured, tapeworm (Monezia sp.), whipworm (Trichuris spp.) , and coccidia (eimeria sp.) eggs were also reported. In sample 4 (July 18) whipworm and tapeworm eggs were noted. The final (September 12) sample contained whipworm eggs.