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SubscribeAside from drenches at one or two strategic times the mob’s average worm egg count should be the basis for other drenching decisions.
Structured reading
For those who like to see all the information and simply read through it in order. Each heading is a link to a page of information—the dot point provides a summary of the page.
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Checking a mob of goats for worms with a WormTest
How-to guide to collect and submit samples for a mob worm test to a laboratory.
Worm egg counting
How worm egg counting is carried out.
When to WormTest and when to drench goats
Regional advice on testing for worms and drenching.
Assessing worm burdens without a WormTest
Other ways to assess whether goats have worms and what level of worms exist.
Collecting dung samples from individual goats (optional)
How-to guide on collecting dung samples from individual goats (for drench resistance tests or genetic assessment of worm resistance).
Worm testing for stud goat breeders (optional)
How-to guide for stud goat breeders who want to gain worm egg count breeding values for individual goats.
For those who prefer a problem based approach to learning, answer the following questions.
Each of the questions below links further down the page to the answers.
You can also click on each question below to go to WormBoss pages with related information.
Collect the number of samples per mob as recommended by your laboratory (ideally this would be from at least 20 goats—if you are doing your own worm egg count on farm, try the following ‘bulk collection’ method.
When conducting your own worm egg counts on farm:
WormTests can be done at any time; however there are certain routine times to WormTest (preferably with a larval culture):
Adult goats
Weaners
Does
Bucks
A WormTest refers to a ‘Worm Egg Count Test’ or ‘WEC test’; it will identify the number of worm eggs in faeces, which is a good indication of the worm burden of the goat.
Some laboratories can also perform a ‘Larval Culture’ (also called a ‘Larval Differentiation’) to identify the types of worms present and their proportion (the importance of this varies according to your location).
There are six common strategic drenches; not all are used in every region. The WormBoss programs outline which strategic drenches to use in each region.
Details of when/how to use strategic drenches are in Your Regional WormBoss Program.
Ideally each mob should be tested individually, as there are usually differences between paddocks in the favourability for worm survival, the number of worm eggs being deposited by different mobs, and the time since a drench was given. However, if there are a number of mobs that have the same drenching history, same class of goats and very similar paddock type (including recent level of contamination from worms) then one mob can represent two others (i.e. test one in every three similar mobs).
Testing representative mobs saves the cost of testing all mobs, but carries the risk that the result may not be representative. If in doubt, test additional mobs.
Testing individual mobs is suggested for Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
If less than 2% of a herd are showing signs that include pale inside eyelids and gums, bottle jaw, lagging or collapse, you should treat these affected goats immediately with a drench suitable for barber’s pole worm, but also sample and test the remainder of the herd now. If these signs are not visible, but a few goats are scouring badly, test the herd now. In both cases, use the results with your Drench Decision Guide to decide whether the whole herd should be treated.
When less than 2% of a herd show signs of worms these are the possible causes:
In all of the above situations, a WormTest on the remainder of the herd (don’t include these badly affected goats) to determine the worm egg count will inform your decision of whether to treat the rest of the herd.
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