WORM COUNTS
A Few Facts and Frequently Asked Questions.
We are Abbey Diagnostics, a small, independent laboratory specialising in worm counts for various species of animals, including goats, sheep and related species, across the UK. We provide a cost-effective, reliable and efficient service to all those involved in goat and sheep husbandry, from owners with a single animal or a small group, through to larger herds being farmed for milk or fibre. Results obtained through us will assist you in determining whether your current worming strategy is working, whether it is necessary to worm, or if there is a problem with resistance to anthelmintics being used on a routine basis.
Why should we worry about worms in goats and sheep?
As with any animal, if left unchecked and numbers increase beyond a certain level, parasites pose a major threat to the general health and well-being of the animal and can compromise others in its immediate vicinity. Sadly, it is not always possible to tell that an animal is carrying these parasites just by looking at it from the outside and even an apparently healthy looking animal can have a high worm burden which could develop and cause illness, even death. A worm count is one way of checking to see that these parasite burdens are not waiting in the background to cause problems a little further down the road. Once this has been ascertained, you are then in a good position to plan a worming strategy in consultation with your vet and/or your certified worming-chemical provider.
Although it is called a "worm count", the test counts the number of worm eggs found in a sample of the animal's droppings. The test is mainly for eggs of large and small Strongyles, although occasionally eggs of roundworm and tapeworm are seen. If we see eggs, it tells us that adult worms have produced these eggs as part of their normal life cycle.
Primarily, the reason for having a worm count done is to check one aspect of the internal health of your animals. Overlooking a worm problem can lead to the development of a heavy worm burden and the typically described "Poor do-er" who fails to carry weight and may be unproductive in milk or meat production. A worm count can help to recognise that there is a potential problem so that you, the owner, can take steps to prevent things progressing. Other reasons for getting a count done are:
Some owners, in conjunction with veterinary advice, are adopting a strategy which aims to decrease the quantity of chemicals given to their animals. In these cases, regular worm counts are done and worming chemicals are given only if the count reaches a threshold level. This technique not only reduces costs, but is also considered helpful in combating the problems of resistant worms developing.
Problems associated with worming.
One problem which is causing more concern nowadays is the development of resistance to certain worming chemicals. It has been shown in sheep, that using currently established worming practices can encourage the increase of resistance, leading to a population of parasites which cannot be controlled by the known range of chemicals. In the UK, worms with resistance to benzimidazole and levamisole wormers have been shown to be a problem, and there are now reports of resistance to the macrocyclic lactones. This fact has led to many people rethinking their approach to worming. Many owners are now monitoring the effectiveness of their wormers by having a count done before and after worming at suitable intervals. This is known as a "faecal egg count reduction test", and is another service which we are pleased to provide to all owners who find that they have a worm problem from sending in the initial samples (see below). In addition, many are now adopting a "worm when needed" approach and only administering wormers when the count reaches a threshold level. This is recommended as a method of delaying development of resistance.
Another potential problem is the administration of chemicals to animals with existing health problems, possibly leading to adverse reactions at a time when their health is already compromised. In this type of situation, a worm count can help the owner to make an informed decision on the best worming practice after consultation with their veterinary surgeon.
How do I get a worm count done?
Getting a count done with Abbey Diagnostics could not be easier. All you need to do is contact us by telephone or e-mail and tell us how many goats you want to test, and we will send you a sample kit which contains everything you need in order to take the sample, plus easy-to-follow instructions. Once you have taken the sample, you just put the sample-container into the special envelope provided along with your details and payment, attach first-class postage (postage usually works out at the cost of a first-class letter for a single sample. If returning more than one sample then you will need to check this with your post office.) and send it to us. We aim to analyse the sample on the day it is received, and should be able to get the results to you by telephone or e-mail on the day of test. We can also send out the results sheet by post for your own records.
Not at all, we provide a range of discounts to keep costs as low as possible. We have an introductory discount for new customers and a low price for regular users of the service (i.e. for those who get 2 or more counts done over a 12 month period). We also operate a further discount system whereby we are able to offer a wide range of discounts (bulk orders, charities, veterinary practices etc) in order to allow everyone to make use of an important part of goat care without breaking the bank. Owners can even join together to send in their samples thus taking advantage of the bulk order discounts. See our price list for full details of costs and services.
Thankfully, we find that really high counts tend to be less common than lower ones, however, they do still occur. Many people, upon finding that they do have a problem, like to do a follow up test after treating with a suitable worming chemical. This is known as an egg count reduction test and can be performed by us at the request of the owner who will be given the option when the results are returned. The total cost of this service is offset by the payment already made for the initial test, meaning that you get a considerable discount on the follow up test. It just gives peace of mind so that you know that the action you've taken has worked, and can be important in assessing any build up of resistance so that, if necessary, you can reassess your worming strategy.
Contact us on 01638 552122 (answerphone service available out of working hours) or by e mail at sales@abbeydiagnostics.co.uk.