Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Get It Today Before It Gets You Tomorrow
Dormant gastrointestinal larvae of certain parasites in sheep and goat could be detrimental to the animal’s health as well as production. The chances for gastrointestinal parasite eggs to survive and hatch reduce extensively due to extreme cold weather. However the adult gastrointestinal larvae present in the animal’s gastrointestinal tract may not produce eggs and become dormant instead. As soon as the weather becomes favorable they will start shedding eggs on to the newly grown pastures in warmer temperatures.
The current cold weather in Manitoba is expected to kill most of the parasites including the parasite eggs excreted on the pastures by animals the form of fecal pellets. This weather effect is supportive in terms of parasite eradication from the pastures but to keep the animals safe from dormant larvae sitting in the guts of an animal mid winter preventive treatment with anthelmintics may be necessary.
Fenbendazole, albendazole, oxfendazole and ivermectin are proven choices for mid winter treatment for most of the animals. Oxfendazole is not recommended for pregnant animals. Consult your veterinarian for further advice.
Links
Author
Mamoon Rashid
Business Development Specialist - Sheep/Goat
Livestock Knowledge Centre
545 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6
Phone: 204-945-7557
Fax: 204-945-4327
