Search ParaBoss
Australia's resource for control of worms, flies and lice in sheep, |
A client received notification that his lambs had bladder worm. At the same time, another client complained that his laparoscopic AI man was having trouble visualising the uterus because of bladder worm. What could they do about these pestiferous worms? The thing is, bladder worm is not a worm, and it's not in the bladder, but is, instead, the intermediate, infectious stage of a tapeworm that lives in dogs. Nothing to be done for the sheep, but you can break the life cycle by worming the dogs.
Now, this tapeworm is called Taenia hydatigena in the dog, and the cystic intermediate stage in the sheep is called Cysticercus tenuicollis (bladder worm). So many tapeworms in dogs, foxes and cats (usually labelled Taenia something) have intermediate stages in sheep, cattle, pigs, rabbits and humans that are called Cysticercus something. Turns out that the early scientists did not realise that they were dealing with different life stages of the same parasite in different species. The names originally assigned have stuck. To make matters more confusing Taenia hydatigena/Cysticercus tenuicollis also gets the moniker “false hydatid”. Unlike hydatids, humans cannot be infected by Taenia hydatigena, so at least the “false” part is right.
Introduction by Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania
At uni (all those years ago) some students never attended a lecture: they borrowed others’ notes (no handouts in those days) and did OK. On the other hand, your correspondent was very much an audio learner. If I missed a lecture it was struggle-street to get up to speed from texts or borrowed notes.
Lectures from the 2018 Paraboss Conference are on the website. While insomniacs may watch whole lectures, for the next few months snippet-links will be provided to address specific issues. The lectures were delivered by researchers and notable consultants to veterinarians and other technical types. However, the audiences that the conference organisers targeted were veterinarians and advisers providing services to producers. The presentations were very user-friendly. Please provide feedback on how useful you find this format.
>> Read more.
Introduction by Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania
You would be well aware that weaners become (relatively) immune to worm infection provided they have adequate nutrition and ongoing exposure to worms at the right time. Importantly, your lambing time and location (west versus east) determine the age at which sheep can be expected to be parasitically robust. This video, presented by Drs Caroline Jacoson and John Webb Ware, gives a great explanation of when we can expect young sheep to become immunocompetent, and the differences the west (Mediterranean climate) and the south-east winter rainfall patterns can make. If you understand this you will get a High Distinction in the exam. Please also take note of John Webb-Ware's video on the cost of dags.
>> Read more.
Introduction by Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania
Unlike sheep, goats do not develop high levels of worm resistance. To complicate matters they have an extraordinary liver capacity (so you won’t get them drunk), and therefore able to metabolise drenches very rapidly, so the standard sheep doses are inadequate. Dr Sandra Baxendell gives a great review of drug choice (including toxicity), dose rates and residues in this video.
>> Read more.
Introduction by Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania
The April report linked to information on using ASBVs and visual scoring to reduce the risk of strike. To get a handle on the potential gains and progress to date in breeding for resistance to breech strike spend some time at this video as AWI’s Geoff Lindon addresses the topic.
>> Read more.
Introduction by Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania
Brian Horton’s suite of LiceBoss tools has great algorithms for deciding the need to treat and treatment options. They should be your first stop in the lice decision-making process. If you are not familiar with them take a moment to see what they offer. As Lefty Kreh would say, “You’ll be amazed”.
However, here are a few other things you should put into the equation, particularly if the tools take you down the “no treatment/monitor path”.
State Outlooks
