By Leona Grearson Bizzozero
This spring I attended a
conference on gastrointestinal parasitology hosted by a SARE Research &
Education Project to Improve Small (& modified) Ruminant Parasite Control
in New England. I am not a veterinarian or vet tech, but like most folks that
raise camelids, sheep, goats, and other livestock, it is my mission to ensure
that I provide the best possible environment & humane treatment for the
animals under my umbrella of care. I partner with my veterinarian team, yet I
recognize that camelids remain 'exotic' in North America. Knowledge,
understanding, and husbandry techniques continue to evolve within university
and professional communities. For example, not all available anthelmintics
(anti-parasite drugs) are currently approved for alpacas or llamas. This is
problematic for new and seasoned camelid owners alike. To further complicate
matters, there are differing views on if, when, and how often to treat alpacas
& llamas for internal parasites.
Fecal Sampling
Periodic fecal sampling,
including fecal egg counts, will provide information as to types and numbers of
parasites present. This information will allow you to review your herd data
with your veterinarian to determine the best deworming program, if any, to
improve herd health.
Average Cost Per Sample: $5 — $20
I fancy that all camelid owners
are smart, savvy, and sensitive. How could we not be? We choose to dedicate
time, effort, and means to simply commune with the stoic Zen of alpacas &
llamas. So before throwing hands up into the air and exhaling a deep resigning
sigh, inform yourself about the parasite loads carried by your herd. Once you
have an informed snapshot, then you can make sound decisions on how to reduce
the parasite burdens and increase the health & well being of your animals, rather
than blindly treating an entire herd for parasites that they may or may not
carry. I encourage you to test the poo before you do any gastrointestinal
anti-parasite treatments.
Fecal Sampling
A technique that involves
examining dung from an individual or a group of animals to determine the number
(and/or type) of gastrointestinal parasite present. Fecal sampling will only
identify parasites that live in the digestive tract. What does fecal sampling
involve?
- Collection of specimen: Fresh manure is collected and should be stored in a clean, air-tight, dry container such as a plastic sandwich bag, mason jar, or the like.
- Collect either from individual animals or from communal dung pile.
- Label each specimen with date, animal name/dung pile location, and your farm name.
- Store sample(s) in cool, dry place (refrigerator) until you can provide to your vet or other testing facility.
- Sample Process & Analysis: A portion is mixed with a solution that causes the eggs to separate & float to the surface.
- The mixture is filtered removing all possible debris and the residual is observed under a microscope where eggs are counted.
- The results are measured as eggs per gram (epg) of dung.
Some owners believe it's a waste
of time and money to perform fecal testing. On the contrary, administering
chemical dewormers when not warranted is not only a waste of money, time &
effort, but may inadvertently develop drug resistance in parasites while
lessening the overall effectiveness of available products.
Drug Resistant Parasites?
When an alpaca or llama is
exposed to parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc. it will develop specialized cells
to fend off infections from the foreign organisms. Some of these cells will
produce life long immunity after a single exposure. Other cells may produce
immunity for as little as several months. Low level repeated exposure to a
foreign organism can stimulate the immune system to continue producing the
specialized cells reducing the severity of future infections. Resistance is
very common in sheep and goats and increasing in alpacas and Ilamas. The fact
is that anti-parasite drugs are unable to completely eliminate an entire
population of parasites. The few that remain are resistant to the drug and with
time, reproduce creating a new population that is also resistant. Given that
indiscriminate use of chemical dewormers, shipping animals, open herds, and
inadequate biosecurity only encourage resistance; performing routine fecal
sampling will help take the guess work out… To keep costs minimal while
obtaining meaningful herd parasite load data, begin your sampling focus during
the times of year when worm egg counts increase.
Birthing Times
Worm egg counts will rise during
birthing times as females are under stress. Testing at this time of increased
egg levels will determine the parasite burden that will be present in the cria
fields. Autumn fecal egg counts performed in the fall will yield infection
levels from summer grazing and ensure animals are not going into winter with
worm counts high enough to adversely affect health & welfare. Anthelmintics
should complement but not replace good management and sanitation practices. Camelids
are not immune to parasites, but there are practical ways to reduce the need
for anti-parasite drugs. As simple as it may sound, practicing sanitary
barnyard management strategies, including feed bunkers for hay & grain,
eliminating standing water and wet areas around waterers, and routinely
removing dung will reduce the favorable environment most parasites need to
become infective.
Tips
- Frequent cleanup of the dung piles, effectively planned pasture rotation and grazing multiple species on pastures reduces parasite load while lessening the possible chances of exposure.
- If you are not removing dung piles, especially large seasonal piles, then fence them off to exclude animal exposure for several seasons, allowing the manure to compost.
- Incoming animals are stressed
from transportation, new surroundings, and removal from existing herdmates. The
stress can cause a mild immunosuppression, causing an increase shedding of
parasites or other organisms. When a new animal arrives on your premises,
practice quality biosecurity measures by quarantining the animal from all other
similar species for thirty days. Utilize distant pens, paddocks, & pastures
for all incoming animals to help reduce exposure of the existing herd to new
parasite species as well as other diseases.
Don't Guess… Test!
Further Information: Contact your
Vet for fees/services available locally. The Southern Consortium for Small
Ruminant Parasite Control provides a variety of guidance for farmers including
a guide to egg per gram (epg) counting. You can also visit www.scsrpc.org/SCSRPC/ProdRec/producerinfo.htm.
Leona operates Hespe Garden Ranch & Rescue in Washington, VT providing a
safe haven for camelids in need while practicing symbiotic agriculture to
humanely enhance animal health, happiness and overall yields.
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