August and September are the months when cases of Haemonchus (Barber’s Pole worm) tend to peak. But some farmers still know relatively little about this parasite. Vet Nigel Underwood from Janssen Animal Health has provided some key facts that tell the Haemonchus story:
– Some areas of the UK could experience the effects of Haemonchus for the first time this summer. That means the whole flock may be susceptible
– Young animals are normally the most vulnerable to acute disease, which causes anaemia, lethargy or even death.
– Haemonchus eggs shed in spring/summer onto pasture are the source of infective larvae. Individual females may lay up to 10,000 eggs per day potentially resulting in heavy pasture contamination with larvae.
– Wet weather and warmth can increase the number of larvae that survive on pasture. If you have had a wet summer you should be thinking about fluke and Haemonchus.
– In the winter, larvae go into a state of arrested development inside the wall of the sheep’s abomasum.
– When these dormant (inhibited) larvae start to develop again in spring they can cause acute disease. They are also responsible for egg shedding on to the spring pasture.
– Older sheep that have had Haemonchus for some time may suffer chronic effects over the winter months.
– In addition to treating in late summer, it may be worth treating in winter to avoid acute disease with a preparation that has larvacidal activity.
– The timing of treatment for Haemonchus aligns well with the timing to treat for fluke: Closantel (Flukiver® 5% w/v Oral Suspension) treats inhibited, immature and adult stages of Haemonchus, including benzimidazole resistant strains, as well as fluke.
Flukiver® 5% w/v Oral Suspension contains closantel. Legal Category POM-VPS
For full details on the use of these products please refer to the insert or SPC.
Advice on the use of these, or alternative medicines should be sought from the medicine prescriber
Further information is available from Janssen Animal Health, 50-100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 4EG Tel 01494 567555 Fax 01494 567556 Email: ahealth@its.jnj.com Website www.janssenanimalhealth.com
Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible
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