Sheep Medicine Q&A 06

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Sheep questions

In early autumn you are asked to examine some pedigree Suffolk rams which are in very poor condition (BCS 1.5, scale 1–5). The rams, purchased as yearlings, are grazing permanent pasture and were treated with albendazole (group 1 – benzimidazoles) in late spring and again 2 months later. Many rams have diarrhoea with considerable faecal staining of the perineum. The rams are bright and alert but in much poorer bodily condition than expected. A ram purchased last autumn is especially thin (BCS 1.0) and depressed with pale mucous membranes and slight submandibular oedema. The heart rate and respiratory rates are increased.

Question	Answer		Article
What conditions would you consider?	The most likely conditions to consider include: PGE, including haemonchosis (possible anthelmintic resistance) acute fasciolosis poor nutrition, e.g. overstocking, poor pasture management.		Link to Article
What tests would you undertake?	Further tests include collection of faeces samples for worm egg count. Faeces samples collected from the anaemic ram reveal an egg count of 42,000 epg. Approximately equal quantities of faeces collected from eight other rams and pooled reveal 6,200 epg (<400 epg		Link to Article
What control measures would you adopt?	Control measures include strict quarantine of all purchased stock and treatment with both group 2 (mainly levamisole) and 3 (avermectin and milbemycin) anthelmintics upon arrival. After 48 hr, treated sheep can then be turned out to pasture previously grazed by sheep to dilute out any eggs from surviving (resistant) worms. Accurate dosage for the heaviest sheep in the group is essential.		Link to Article