Last year, there were some questions regarding the deworming of the test goats. Here is the official deworming protocol for the 2014 test:
- Upon arrival to test site, all goats will be dewormed with anthelmintics from each drug class: moxidectin (Cydectin®), albendazole (Valbazen®), and levamisole (Prohibit®). These initial dewormings are necessary (regardless of need) so that the goats all start the test (and worm challenge) equally and as free from GI parasites as possible.
- During the test, goats that require deworming will be given moxidectin or levamisole. A DrenchRite® assay has confirmed the effectiveness of these two anthelmintics.
- Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 1 or 2 will not be dewormed unless they have bottle jaw
- All goats with FAMACHA© scores of 4 or 5 will be dewormed, regardless of other factors.
- Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 will be dewormed if they have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Evidence of bottle jaw.
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More than 10 percent of goats have FAMACHA© scores of 4 or 5.
- Fecal egg count two weeks prior was >2000 epg.
- Weight loss during previous two week period.
- Evidence of active diarrhea (scours).
- Body condition score of less than 2.
- Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 4 will be put in treatment pen for observation.
- Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 5 will be put in treatment pen and be given supportive therapy
- Goats with diarrhea will be treated.
- All goats will be given 0.5 g of copper oxide wire particles on day 42 and 84.
