ParaBoss News - April 2018 - Feature Articles

Feature articles

Top strategies for your worm drench program

by Virbac Animal Health

The success of your sheep drench defence strategy relies on following a few golden rules. Discover the key actions that form the backbone of an effective worm eradication program. >> Read more.

Still mules, but thinking about stopping?

by Geoff Lindon, from the AWI web site

Have a plan, gain support from all involved, be brave, organised and determined and be prepared for a fundamental change to the enterprise. Read Geoff Lindon’s report on “Planning for a non-mulesed Merino enterprise”.  >> Read more.

Rubbing sheep—lice or not?

from the LiceBoss web site

While sheep that rub, scratch and bite at their wool often have lice, these points may help you to rule lice out. >> Read more.

Which drenches are registered for goats?

from the WormBoss web site

Find them, or appropriate sheep drenches, by using the WormBoss Drenches tool.  Check out the 4 search options in the left menu of this link. >> Read more.

Fast Fact: Brown stomach worms cause indigestion

The burrowing and feeding activities of the fourth stage larvae of Teladorsagia circumcincta (previously called Osties) in the abomasal walls of sheep and goats interfere with the digestion of proteins, which results in scouring.

The cells of the damaged walls proliferate in an attempt to heal, but these cells are unable to produce the much-needed gastric acid. The abomasum becomes less acidic—the pH rises from about 2 to almost 7—and becomes more favourable to undesirable bacteria. Proteins that have not been digested properly in the abomasum pass into the small intestine and inhibit the absorption of fluids, which results in more watery faeces: diarrhoea or “scours”.

At this point, affected stock are in a bind; increased food intake is needed to compensate for inadequate protein digestion, but their appetites are also suppressed by the worms; weight loss is the result.