07/06/2024
A bit lengthy but a good read and resources.
Double-trouble! Coccidia outbreaks and barber pole worm infections all over Arkansas. Lots of calls from extension agents and producers about it. Some have animals experiencing black scours, rough coat, pot belly, and depressed appetite, not only lambs and kids, but also affecting adults. Others have noticed sudden deaths, bottle jaw and anemia in their animals, more accentuated in lambs and kids. And even worse, some are facing both challenges! It is the case of a farm in Faulkner County, where the UADA extension team detected both problems and recommended several changes in management practices.
Coccidia (Eimeria spp.) are protozoan parasites transmitted by contaminated forage, feed, and water. Therefore, hygiene of the environment and troughs is recommended. Isolating sick animals and reducing overcrowding in pens and stress are also helpful. Dehydration is a major concern, so fluid therapy can save many animals. Also, proper nutrition is always important.
Coccidiostats are used in very low doses in the feed, so don’t try to mix by yourself. Buy medicated feeds instead. Monensin (Rumensin®) is approved for goats, Lasalocid (Bovatec®) is approved for sheep, and Decoquinate (Deccox®) for sheep and goats. Read the labels for more details. However, they are used more for prevention than treatment. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best treatment. Off-label medications must be prescribed by your veterinarian. Amprolium (Corid®) has been used in water or drenching and is usually associated with thiamin. Sulfonamides (several commercial names) have also been used to treat coccidiosis. A single treatment with Toltrazuril and Diclazuril is approved in other countries. Off-label directives are available at https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/resources-you/ins-and-outs-extra-label-drug-use-animals-resource-veterinarians / https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-530/subpart-C?toc=1 . It is very important to have a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR).
Excellent results of feeding the forage legume Sericea lespedeza AU Grazer on reducing coccidia levels give us hope for a natural approach to prevention and treatment.
There is a recent publication in the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control website about coccidiosis (https://www.wormx.info/single-post/2019/03/26/new-fact-sheet-on-coccida).
Barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is a major problem for most producers. A holistic approach should be taken to adopt an integrated parasite management program involving pasture management (species, rotational grazing, stubble height etc), genetic selection (culling less resistant or resilient animals), nutrition (supplementation, condensed tannins-rich forages) and frequent inspections (Famacha) and other practices.
It’s not easy for a producer to deal with something you don’t see. As a reminder, the University of Arkansas Parasitology Laboratory offers free f***l egg counting for Arkansas producers since strictly following all the steps described at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/animals-forages/sheep-goats/small-ruminants-blog/posts/f***l-egg-count-service.aspx.
We should treat only the animals that need to be treated according to the charts available at https://www.wormx.info/single-post/dewormer-charts-updated. Again, be very careful about off-label products and adjust the dose according to the animal’s body weight, which is challenging for many producers that don’t have a scale.
If you have problems in your flock/herd, contact your local UADA extension office for assistance.
And for parasite management, tons of research-proven information is available at: www.wormx.info
American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
Department Of Animal Science - UA
