Pooled fecal samples were collected during the 2013 goat test to determine what type of (strongyle) worms were infecting the goats. Upon arrival to the test site, a fecal sample was collected from each consignment. Every four weeks thereafter, a pooled fecal sample was collected from random goats.
The pooled fecal samples were sent to Dr. Dahlia O'Brien's lab at Delaware State University for analysis. The eggs in the feces were allowed to hatch and the worm species were determined by examining the larvae.
For the final pooled sample collected on August 22, the worm load consisted of 72 percent Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm), 25 percent Trichostrongylus, and 3 percent other (e.g. Oesophagostumum).
Throughout the duration of the 2013 test and in every other test year, Haemonchus contortus has comprised the majority of the worm load.
The primary symptom of barber pole worm infection is anemia, as determined by packed cell volume (PVC), and estimated by FAMACHA© scores. The primary symptoms of Trichostrongylus and other stomach worms are production loss and scours (diarrhea).
The Five Point Check©, which is used to make deworming decisions in the test, includes evaluation criteria for all of the worms that commonly affect goats.
The pooled fecal samples were sent to Dr. Dahlia O'Brien's lab at Delaware State University for analysis. The eggs in the feces were allowed to hatch and the worm species were determined by examining the larvae.
Throughout the duration of the 2013 test and in every other test year, Haemonchus contortus has comprised the majority of the worm load.
The primary symptom of barber pole worm infection is anemia, as determined by packed cell volume (PVC), and estimated by FAMACHA© scores. The primary symptoms of Trichostrongylus and other stomach worms are production loss and scours (diarrhea).
The Five Point Check©, which is used to make deworming decisions in the test, includes evaluation criteria for all of the worms that commonly affect goats.
