Common internal parasites
Parasites located in the abomasum:-
Small brown stomach worm (Teladorsagia circumcincta (formerly Ostertagia circumcincta)) - Adult worms are small (up to 1.0cm in length), slender and reddish-brown in colour. Adults are found on the surface of the abomasal mucosa, while larval forms are found in the gastric glands. The life cycle is direct, following the typical cycle shown below.
Goats are highly susceptible to this parasite and female goats tend to show a rise in egg counts just around the time of giving birth - known as the periparturient rise (PPR). This leads to pasture contamination and subsequent infestation of kids grazing on that pasture. This parasite is responsible for the syndrome known as ostertagiasis.
Barber's Pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) - Adult worms are relatively large (2.0-3.0cm). They are so-called owing to the fact that the white ovaries wrap in a spiral around the red intestinal tract of the parasite giving it the appearance of a "barber's pole".
Stomach hair worm (Trichostrongylus axei)
All the parasites located in the abomasum are capable of entering into a stage of 'arrested development' or HYPOBIOSIS in which they can remain for up to 6 months as a survival strategy to carry over from one season to the next.
Parasites located in the small intestine:-
Black scour worm (Trichostrongylus colubriformis)
Thin-necked intestinal worm (Nematodirus battus and other spp.)
Small intestinal worm (Cooperia spp)
Hookworm (Bunostomus trigononcephalum)
Strongyloides papillosus
Parasites located in the large intestine:-
Large bowel worm (Oesophagostomum venulosum)
Whip worm (Trichris ovis)
Large mouthed bowel worm (Chabertia ovina)
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