The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: dixie on July 02, 2019, 08:58:00 am

Title: Worms
Post by: dixie on July 02, 2019, 08:58:00 am
I don’t routinely worm my sheep but do have faecal egg counts done, although I haven’t done one of those for ages. I noticed this morning one of the lambs had a worm on his bum, pretty sure it was a worm. I have a test kit so could gather them first thing tomorrow and get samples but concerned as it’s so warm the samples could get too warm in transit? Or should I just worm the lambs anyway?
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: twizzel on July 02, 2019, 09:31:54 am
Does your vet do worm egg counts? Saves sending away then
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: dixie on July 02, 2019, 09:45:05 am
Probably but they aren’t local, it’s easier to post tbh.
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: harmony on July 02, 2019, 11:18:19 am
I would worm count so you know what you are dealing with
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: dixie on July 02, 2019, 11:49:01 am
I’m going to try and gather them this afternoon then catch the last post today.
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: bj_cardiff on July 02, 2019, 11:59:28 am
Was it a tapeworm segment? sort of like a grain of rice? Sometimes you can see them in very fresh poo, I'm not sure tapeworm show up in egg counts?
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: twizzel on July 02, 2019, 12:01:03 pm
Tapeworm does show up on counts but it rarely causes problems to the host (the sheep) to necessitate worming
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: Tim W on July 02, 2019, 03:04:41 pm
Tapeworms are showing up in the dung here a lot at the moment but FEC are still around 120/250 EPG and growth rates are good

Tapes only generally become a problem when they physically start blocking the intestines
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: dixie on July 02, 2019, 04:41:52 pm
Mission accomplished! Lambs penned, samples collected and in the postbox for the 5pm collection, with 20 minutes to spare  :sheep:  closer inspection I think it maybe tapeworm segments? But I’ll let you know the result, thanks all.
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: messyhoose on July 02, 2019, 07:15:21 pm
im glad others are reporting tapes in lambs- my ronny has scours today after i gave him vegetable oil - after i caught him destroying a bag of milk powder (i dont know how much eaten but the scour could be due to the milk or the oil.....) But all the scours are full of ribbons of "pasta" ie tapeworms- im am amazed how much- he has barely been outside grazing/ we are not highly stocked anyway/ and i dont have dogs. I have now wormed him and put him on electrolytes every 2 hours til dried up. Again my vets also tell me not to panic about tapeworm as they dont affect the animal (apparently)- but looking at the load this poor lad shed today id ask how can one tell if an animal harbours an intestine blocking load until it is too late to treat...?
Title: Re: Worms
Post by: dixie on July 05, 2019, 03:26:14 pm
Hi thought I’d share the FEC results, strongyle eggs 200 epg. Nemotodirus eggs <50epg. Coccidial Oocysts 1650 opg. Worm burden is not significant.
I spoke to them on the phone too, I could worm with a white drench but as one are scouring or unwell I don’t think I will. Planning on 2nd heptavac this weekend then moving them to a fresh paddock.