Haemonchus

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Also known as: Barber's pole worm
The most important veterinary species contortus

Haemonchus contortus is a nematode parasite from the family Trichostrongyloidea. It is found worldwide, and is an extremely important parasite of sheep and goats, particularly in tropical/ subtropical regions.

Within the UK, it is found most commonly in the South, where the climate tends to be a little warmer and drier. Some have shown complete resistance to current anthelemintics which is posing a real problem, making sheep and goat farming extremely difficult in some areas of the country.

  • Haemonchus contortus (abomasum) - sheep
    • 2cm long,barber's pole appearance when fresh
    • Primarily a tropical/sub-tropical parasite, although may cause problems in the UK (was restricted to SE England but has spread north to Scotland due to warmer, wetter winters in recent years)
    • Blood-sucking nematode (piercing "lancet" in buccal capsule of L4 and adult worms)