SHEEP AND GOAT WORMS
Sheep and goats are commonly infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, trematodes and cestodes.
1. Gastronintestinal Nematodes (Round Worms)
The most important worms found in sheep and goats are:
- Brown stomach worm (Teladorsagia circumcincta)
- Black scour worm (Trichostrongylus colubriformis) and (T. vitrinus spp)
- Barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus)
Other Nematode worms found in sheep and goats are tabled in Table 2.1
2. Trematodes (Flukes)
- Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is an important parasite of sheep and goats in certain areas where conditions are suitable for the intermediate host, an aquatic snail.
- Stomach fluke (such as Paramphistomum spp occasionally cause disease, mainly in coastal areas.
3. Lungworms:
- Dictyocaulus filarial, Muellerius capillaries, Protostrongylus rufescens
4. Cestodes (Flatworms)
- Tapeworm (Moniezia spp)
5. Coccidia (Eimeria)
- Coccidia are not worms but microscopic protozoal parasites.
COMMON SHEEP AND GOAT WORMS (Table 2.1)
| Causing common outbreaks of disease | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Summer-rainfall areas | |
| Barber’s pole worm | Haemonchus contortus |
| Black scour worm | Trichostrongylus colubriformis and T. vitrinus spp. |
| Brown stomach worm | Teladorsagia circumcinta |
| Non-seasonal to winter rainfall areas | |
| Brown stomach worm | Teladorsagia spp. |
| Black scour worm | Trichostrongylus colubriformis and T. vitrinus spp. |
| Occasionally significant | |
| Thin necked intestinal worm | Nematodirus spp. |
| Small intestinal worm | Cooperia spp. |
| Large-mouthed bowel worm | Chabertia ovina |
| Threadworm | Strongyloides papillosus |
| Other minor roundworms/mixed infections | |
| Hook worm | Bunostomum phlebotomum.(very uncommon) |
| Nodule worm and Large bowel worm | Oesophagostomum columbianum/O.venulosum |
| Whip worm | Trichuris ovis |
| Stomach hair worm | Trichostrongylus axei |
| Lung worms | Dictyocaulus filaria Protostrongylus rufescens |
| Large round worm | Ascaris spp. |
| Gullet worm | Gongylonema spp |
| Trematodes (flukes) | |
| Stomach Fluke | Pramphistomum spp |
| Liver fluke | Fasciola hepatica |
| Cestodes (flatworms) | |
| Tapeworm | Moniezia expansa |
Wormboss. 2019. Roundworms. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.wormboss.com.au/worms/roundworms.php. [Accessed 27 October 2019].
GUIDE TO WORM EGG COUNTS IN SHEEP AND GOATS – Table 2.2
| Worm egg count (epg) | Interpretation/comments |
|---|---|
| <200 (epg) | Drench probably not required |
| 200-500 epg | Seek advice |
| >500* | Drench probably required |
*strongyle eggs per gram of faeces (epg)