Sheep/goat and alpaca owners – do you know what parasite this egg is from? Its from a type of worm called Barber’s pole worm. In the last few weeks our
vets have seen a number of small ruminant cases severely affected by this parasite. It is a potentially fatal blood sucking roundworm that causes severe anaemia as it sucks blood from the lining of the stomach wall. This particular parasite thrives in wet conditions and is becoming very prevalent in the Yarra Valley . Signs of infection include: lethargy, failure to gain weight, anaemia, animals that don’t want to get up, bottle jaw (swelling below the jaw area) and death. The best way to diagnose this or to check if your small ruminants are affected by parasites is via a faecal egg count which we can arrange through the clinic. Treatment and prevention involves the regular use of effective oral drenches. However this pesky parasite can evade many of the common brands of drench so we recommend getting in touch with us for advice on the best product to use to keep your animals safe.