The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: cairnhill on May 26, 2011, 11:41:31 am

Title: worm counts
Post by: cairnhill on May 26, 2011, 11:41:31 am
Hi all
was wondering if had to go through vets or can I get a DIY kit.  Also do they look for Liver Fluke at the same time.
thanks :sheep:
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: feldar on May 26, 2011, 12:04:02 pm
I do believe you can get a kit, or used to be able to, but i would recomend going to the vet.They will tell you the type of worms you have. we had a count done one year when our ewes lost a lot of condition and the count threw up a type of worm that was unusual for our area and didn't respond to the wormer we had used.
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: supplies for smallholders on May 26, 2011, 01:27:40 pm
Hi,

We sell a "worm Kit" - not a DIY kit for arount £10 inc P&P

The sample is sent to the lab, and in the case of sheep and cattle will identify the presence and an epg reading of the following:


Thanks
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: Rosemary on May 26, 2011, 01:34:04 pm
Very useful. I use Westgate Laboratories - very prompt service.

With liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, the count will tell you if there is evidence of fluke. However, as I understand it, no evidence of fluke in the sample doesn't mean there is no fluke, just that at this stage of the lifecycle, none are apparent.

Take advice from your vet about how to interpret results.
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: Bright Raven on May 30, 2011, 08:06:55 pm
My pigs have got Large White Worms, the powder is on order from the vet and should arrive on Wednesday. I have set up a foot bath outside the pig pen but it's too late, today I have found a short worm in the sheep field in the sheep pooh. Will this worm transfer to sheep or is it pig specific?
Off I go to buy some noromectin tomorow!
Also are there any dangers in worming a five month pregnant ewe?

Any ideas?
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: Hopewell on May 30, 2011, 10:50:04 pm
Quote from: Bright Raven on May 30, 2011, 08:06:55 pm
My pigs have got Large White Worms, the powder is on order from the vet and should arrive on Wednesday. I have set up a foot bath outside the pig pen but it's too late, today I have found a short worm in the sheep field in the sheep pooh. Will this worm transfer to sheep or is it pig specific?
Off I go to buy some noromectin tomorow!
Also are there any dangers in worming a five month pregnant ewe?

Any ideas?
The worms in the pigs and the worms in the sheep will be different and very few if any transfer between the two species. With regard to worming a five month pregnant ewe the only real issue is likely to be stress from handling. Sheep get an increase in the numbers of worm eggs they pass out in the faeces around lambing time, so it is good practice to worm them at this stage, although I would advocate worm egg counts at other times.
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: Bright Raven on May 30, 2011, 11:16:26 pm
Thanks, that is reassuring. I always get worm count done for the sheep in June, and here we are already! I use the local vet but have never really felt happy about the quality of information that comes back. I guess I am always looking for more information that you get on a piece of paper.
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: supplies for smallholders on May 31, 2011, 07:48:52 pm
Hi,

The worm count will give you just that - The count of number of eggs per gramme of sample material, and will identify what type of worms they are.

It will also tell you if no eggs are visible.

What more would you want from a worm count ??

Thanks
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: andywalt on June 04, 2011, 06:09:27 am
So with your Kit does it give instruction ? as it would be my first time, would you need a spread of sample? fresh? and the address ect where to send it?
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: supplies for smallholders on June 04, 2011, 08:57:17 am
Hi Andy,

Ours comes with:

Sample pot (with label to identify the sample)
Pre-Paid addressed Jiffy Bag to send samples off
Sheet to fill in to link sample to animal
disposable gloves to collect sample

Instructions are quite simple:

Collect some poo - the fresher the better, place in the sample pot, fill in sheet, place in jiffy bag and post. Normally within a couple of days the results come to you by email, which will give you the epg reading per sample and the type of worms.

Using a well mixed sample (from different animals) will tend to average the result, which may give a false low reading - but will give an indication of what worms (if any) are present.

Thanks
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: andywalt on June 04, 2011, 01:49:46 pm
thanaks for the info, im sure we dont have any worms as Ive made sure when we brought in they wormed and I saw it, also the ground is virgin grounnd and not ever had animal on before, but its nice to work for prevention, its horrid having to try and deal with a problem when its bad, so maybe i will do the count to see what it throws up and if so we can catch early before to progressed, what do you think?
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: supplies for smallholders on June 04, 2011, 02:09:19 pm
Hi,

It's Completely your choice, I would never do a "Hard Sell" and say you should do a worm count.

However, my own view is that it is the only way to know 99% where you are starting from.

Worms and worming is a complex subject, especially with the resistance to wormers that is getting worse.

Thanks
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: andywalt on June 04, 2011, 02:39:10 pm
Gareth can you please send me a pack? you still have my card details?


andy
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: andywalt on June 04, 2011, 07:48:12 pm
ill give you a call next week
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: supplies for smallholders on June 04, 2011, 08:42:31 pm
Hi Andy,

I'll pop one in the post on Monday.

We dont keep card details, so just give us a call when you can with payment.

Thanks
Title: Re: worm counts
Post by: andywalt on June 05, 2011, 05:00:10 pm
thanks Gareth

if I dont call you, ive forgotten so please call me if I dont remember

thanks again