Agriculture Victoria has warned producers to be alert for Barber's pole worm, a significant parasite of sheep, following the wet summer.
District Veterinary officer Dr Jeff Cave said it would not be surprising to see outbreaks of disease as the parasite thrives in warm, moist conditions that has recently been experienced across Victoria.
Dr Cave said adult Barber's pole worms live in the abomasum, or fourth stomach, of sheep.
The adult female worms are prolific egg producers leading rapidly to a heavy pasture contamination, he said.
During warm, moist conditions these eggs hatch into larvae and are eaten by sheep during grazing.
Like other internal parasites, Barber's pole worms mainly affect weaners and lactating ewes.
These worms feed by sucking blood leading to anaemia and 'bottle jaw' but not necessarily weight loss or diarrhoea.
Dr Cave said worm numbers could build up rapidly, and 1000 adult Barber's pole worms could remove 50ml of blood from a sheep per day.
As a result, outbreaks could lead to high mortalities in a short space of time with no warning.
He recommended producers carry out regular faecal egg counts so they were best placed to manage worm burdens, and using considered drenching programs including effective combination drenches.
Drench resistance to Barber's pole worm is becoming increasingly common, he said, and therefore it needed to be managed strategically.
For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer.
Rebecca Nadge
Bec is livestock editor for The Land. She has previously worked for Stock & Land in Victoria, the ABC in Kununurra, and newspapers in Kalgoorlie and New Zealand. Contact her at bec.nadge@theland.com.au
Bec is livestock editor for The Land. She has previously worked for Stock & Land in Victoria, the ABC in Kununurra, and newspapers in Kalgoorlie and New Zealand. Contact her at bec.nadge@theland.com.au
