Sheep, farming, husbandry, disease, animal health, worms, internal parasites, references, further readingBy Dr Clive Dalton Le Jambre, L.F. et. al. (2005).Proceedings of the 20th International conference of the world association for the advancement of veterinary parasitology, 16-20 October, 2005, Christchurch New Zealand. Abstract L98. Page 177. McEwan, J (1994).Breeders’ manual. WormFEC. Breeding sheep resistant to … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton What everybody knows The old solution What needs thinking about now? The solution – genetics What to do Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and the author does not accept any liability to any person for actions taken as a result of the information or advice … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, disease, animal health, worms, internal parasites, immunity, what helps & depresses immunity By Dr Clive Dalton What is immunity? What helps immunity? What harms immunity The periparturient rise Genetic improvement of immunity Do anthelmintics harm the immune system?This very important question was never asked in the past; we took it for granted … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, disease, animal health, worms, internal parasites, resilience, resistance By Dr Clive Dalton Resilience & resistance There are three parts to the story. You can have: 1. Resilient animals 2. Resistant animals (host resistance) 3. Resistant worms Changing from resilience to resistanceThere’s a lot of conjecture about this. Here’s some points you hear … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, animal health, worms, internal parasites, drenching, drench resistance By Dr Clive Dalton Drench resistance Four types of resistanceFour types of resistant worms have been identified. This may seem a bit academic but it could be useful to appreciate the situation on your farm. It’s not a simple picture as there is: Key … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, health, disease, worms, internal parasites, testing methods By Dr Clive Dalton Faecal Egg Count (FEC) Limitations of a FEC Sampling tips FEC for genetic selection programmes What ‘trigger levels’ should be used? Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT)This is used to test for drench resistance. It’s a ‘drench check’ where you first … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, disease, animal health, worms, internal parasites, By Dr Clive Dalton Answer this question – it’s compulsory!Are the worms in your sheep resistant to the chemicals in drenches currently being used? Key point 1: Key point 2: Fill in this form to assess where you are at, and which will help you have … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, worms, internal parasites, health, definitions, genus & species, life cycles, signs of wormy sheep, effects of worms on sheep By Dr Clive DaltonWhat are ‘worms’?‘Worms’ is a general term used for internal parasites that affect sheep. Plenty of other terms are used such as: Worms in New Zealand Can you see them? … Read more
This blog series is drawn from the successful plain-language farmer’s handbook – Internal parasites of sheep and their control by Dr Clive Dalton (Reward Publishing, ISBN 978-473-12133-4 now in its 3rd edition). Copies can be obtained from www.lifestyleblock.co.nz or by emailing clive.dalton@gmail.com. Drench resistance is not just coming – it’s here The ‘Wormwise’ programme Disclaimer This material is provided in … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Refugia – what’s it all about?The word ‘refugia’ seemed to appear out of the blue about 5-6 years ago, and was used by veterinarians and parasitologists when talking to farmers about worms (internal parasites) in sheep and in cattle. Finding out about the bad news We should have known! Refugia arose … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Because of the way internal parasites operate in sheep, and the methods we have used in the past to control them, a lot of myths and half truths have become interwoven with good solid facts. Myths are defined as ‘traditional narrative embodying popular ideas’ so some bits are true or half … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Internal parasites Hook worm (Uncinaria) About 50% of dogs are infected with hookworm. Eggs develop in the soil and larvae can burrow through the animal’s skin. They mature inside the dog and are passed out to complete the cycle. Some dogs have developed a high resistance to hookworm infection and may only show lack … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, animal health, worms, internal parasites, management options By Dr Clive Dalton Happy sheep & happy worms Sheep have been farmed intensively for centuries in Britain before some of them were brought to New Zealand. Every ancient shepherd knew that ‘a sheep’s worst enemy was another sheep’, and the only way around this … Read more