Roundworms of Cattle, Sheep and Goats

 
Eye worm (Thelazia): In cattle, rarely in sheep. Not particularly harmful and does
not cause ophthalmia, however a large number may make the animal more
susceptible to ophthalmia.
 
Abdominal worm (Setaria cervi): Found in the abdomen of cattle and sheep. Quite
harmless, the larvae reach the bloodstream and are transmitted by blood sucking
flies.
 
Lungworms: Found in cattle, sheep and goats, horses, mules and donkeys. Can
be very harmful, especially in sheep and goats. The worms live in the small
bronchi of the lungs.
 
Parafilaria Bovicola (Parafilariasis): Only affecting cattle, it lives in the
subcutaneous tissue on the forequarters. It causes a large subcutaneous lesion of
green/yellow or dark red appearance; looking like bruising (false bruising).
 
Wireworm (Haemonchus contortus):Occurring in sheep, goats and cattle, this
worm is the most common and most harmful of the roundworms. They suck blood,
spilling so much that the contents of the abomasums, where they live, turn red.
Anaemia develops. The larvae require moisture for their development and
therefore there are often massive infestations after the rains begin.
 
Brown Stomach-worm (Ostertagia): lives in the abomasums of cattle, sheep and
goats, and is particularly in Angora goats.
 
Bankrupt worm (Trichostrongyles and Cooperia): infect cattle, sheep and goats,
living in the small intestine and abomasums. Sheep are most affected and can die
from heavy infestations. The larvae can survive in the egg for a year if conditions
are not favourable for hatching. The eggs will hatch with the first rains and when
animals graze these pastures a massive infection will result. The sheep start
purging, become paralysed in the hindquarter and some die. Strongyloides does not
even need to be swallowed but can burrow into the skin of the legs, then migrates
to the lungs, causing respiratory distress and diarrhoea. 
The cattle bankrupt worm Cooperia is fairly common and is quite harmful, but not
as devastating as in sheep.
 
Hookworms: This is a large family of blood-sucking worms which live in the
small intestine of their hosts, which include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats
and man. They suck large amounts of blood from the host and cause bleeding into
the intestine. Young animals are particularly affected. A sheep hookworm Gaigeria
causes the host sheep to lose some much blood.
 
Ascaris worm (Ascaris vitulorum) Found only in calves kept in pens, it is closely
related to the Ascaris of pigs. The worms lay many eggs which pass into the pen
via the dung and can infect a contaminated area for years. Pens must be regularly
cleaned and disinfected.
 
Nodular worm (Oesophagostomum): Commonly infecting sheep and goats,
while different species infect cattle, pigs and man. Toxic secretions from the worm
cause erosion of the gut wall and eventually these secretions enter the body of the
animal, basically poisoning the whole system. Sheep grow thin and weak,
emaciated and die.
 
Large-mouthed worm (Chabertia ovina): Lives in the large intestine of cattle,
sheep and goats. They cause anaemia and loss of condition.
 
Whipworm (Trichuris): A relatively harmless worm which lives in the mucous
membranes of the large intestine of  cattle, sheep and goats. It is sometimes
mistaken for the nodular worm, but causes far less damage.
 
Worm Nodules of Cattle (Onchocerca): The worms live in subcutaneous nodules,
especially along the brisket. The larvae enter the bloodstream and are swallowed
by blood-sucking midges, which then transmit the infection to other animals.
Although the worm is not harmful to the animal, the infected carcass is down-
graded and revenue from beef is lost.

 Zig-zag worm (Gongylonema): Found in the membrane lining the gullet and the
rumen, these appear to be completely harmless, even in large numbers

SYMPTOMS OF ROUNDWORM INFESTATION

Some animals can carry a worm burden and appear unaffected, showing no
symptoms. Young animals and animals under stress due to malnutrition, disease
etc are more affected. However, even healthy adults, if they have a large worm
burden will show symptoms and a loss of production. Young animals show stunted
growth and development, are pot-bellied , have poor coats and may have diarrhoea.
Animals with many blood-sucking worms can shows signs of anaemia.  In extreme
cases they may die.
 
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
•    Animals in good condition are definitely more able to tolerate worm
infestations – another good reason for feeding livestock well. Young animals are
more susceptible and require more care.
•    Calf pens, dairy yards, collecting pens, kraals, anywhere that animals are in
constant close confinement should be regularly cleaned and disinfected and
manure collected and disposed of to kill infective eggs and larvae.
•    Pasture rotation and paddock resting will help to break the cycle. Where
paddocks are heavily dunged, discing or harrowing the manure into the ground can
help.
•    Avoid grazing animals in low-lying wet areas in summer if possible.
•    Identify the species of worms on your farm by taking dung samples into the
laboratory for egg counts and identification. The worming regime will depend on
these results. It is also a good idea to take samples before and after dosing to check
the effectiveness of the product against the worms on your property. A sample
dosing programme, depending on the worm load and species present is to dose all
animals 3 weeks after the first heavy rain to kill infective larvae picked up with the
rainfall. Dose again in the middle of summer and after the first frosts in Autumn,
so that animals go into the Winter clean. Young stock, particularly dairy calves
will requie more frequent dosing.
•    Anthelmintics (dosing medicines) come in various forms – injectables, by
mouth and pourons. Some have combination effects against roundworm and fluke.
 
DECTOMAX INJECTABLE is effective against most roundworms of sheep, cattle
and goats, parafilaria and sheep scab.
FINIWORM is registered for cattle, sheep, goats, horses and pigs and is effective
against most roundworm including migrating lungworm, nodular worm.
NILZAN BOLUS is an anthelmentic for the treatment and control of
gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematode infestations and chronic fascioliasis in
cattle.
SYSTAMEX is an effective treatment for susceptible strains of Small Brown
Stomach Worm, (including inhibited larvae), Stomach Hair Worm, Barber’s Pole
Worm, Small intestinal Worm, Thin-necked Intestinal Worm, Nodule Worm,
Black Scour Worm, Hookworm, Tapeworm and Lungworm in cattle.
VALBAZEN® is remedy for roundworms and milk tapeworms in cattle. Prevents
roundworms eggs present in the animal at dosing from hatching.
VALBAZEN® FOR SHEEP AND GOATS is a remedy for roundworm,
lungworm, milk tapeworm and liver fluke in sheep and goats. Prevents roundworm
eggs present in the animal at dosing from hatching.