Closely examine for signs of worms, yard or hold goats against a fence. Catch and examine 5—10 animals.
Barber's pole worm: anaemia (pale inside eyelids and gums); 'bottle jaw' (swelling under the jaw); lagging or collapse when mustered; death.
Scour worms (black scour worm [Trichostrongylus species]; brown stomach worm [Teladorsagia circumcincta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.
NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider getting animal health advice.
NOTE: If treatment was less than 3 weeks ago and you now have a positive result, your drench may be ineffective. Seek veterinary advice because a DrenchTest might be required.
In the table below, find the worm egg count threshold for the average goat condition of your mob and the condition of the pasture they will graze.
(If pasture[1] or goat condition[2] is unknown, use a worm egg count value of 400 epg [southern] or 800 epg [northern]).
| Worm egg count (epg) thresholds for scour worm | ||||||
| Goat condition[2] (or growth rate for weaners) | Pasture condition[1] | |||||
| South of Sydney | North of Sydney | |||||
| Poor | Moderate | Good | Poor | Moderate | Good | |
| Poor | 200 | 300 | 400 | 400 | 600 | 800 |
| Moderate | 300 | 400 | 450 | 600 | 800 | 900 |
| Good | 400 | 450 | 500 | 800 | 900 | 1000 |
In the table below, find the worm egg count threshold for the average goat condition of your mob and the condition of the pasture they will graze.
(If pasture[1] or goat condition[2] is unknown, use a worm egg count value of 200 epg [southern] or 400 epg [northern]).
| Worm egg count (epg) thresholds for scour worm | ||||||
| Goat condition[2] (or growth rate for weaners) | Pasture condition[1] | |||||
| South of Sydney | North of Sydney | |||||
| Poor | Moderate | Good | Poor | Moderate | Good | |
| Poor | 100 | 150 | 200 | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Moderate | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
| Good | 200 | 250 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 |
Region: East Coast
Date: %21 %Dec %2024
Treat kidding does with an effective short-acting drench[1] and then WormTest 1 week before marking. In a well-prepared low worm-risk paddock, does often do not need treatment at marking.
NOTE: While mid-length (some combined with vaccine) and long-acting 'mectin'/ML (macrocyclic lactone) products provide convenience, their use in this situation can increase drench resistance on your farm. It is best to reserve these treatments for the higher and longer worm-risk times later in summer and autumn. They are not required when low worm-risk paddocks are used.
Treat kidding does with an effective short-acting drench[1]. A WormTest 1 week before marking is essential.
Consider preparing a low worm-risk kidding paddock from autumn next year.
NOTE: While mid-length (some combined with vaccine) and long-acting 'mectin'/ML (macrocyclic lactone) products provide convenience, their use in this situation can increase drench resistance on your farm. It is best to reserve these treatments for the higher and longer worm-risk times later in summer and autumn. They are not required when low worm-risk paddocks are used.
Treat weaners with an effective short-acting drench[1] and then WormTest 4 weeks later[2].
NOTE: While mid-length (some combined with vaccine) and long-acting 'mectin'/ML (macrocyclic lactone) products provide convenience, their use in this situation can increase drench resistance on your farm. It is best to reserve these treatments for the higher and longer worm-risk times later in summer and autumn. They are not required when low worm-risk paddocks are used.
Treat weaners with an effective short-acting drench[1] and then WormTest 4 weeks later[2].
However, a long-acting treatment may be warranted at weaning because low worm-risk weaning paddocks were not prepared and if the next few months are predicted to be high worm-risk weather conditions. Follow the guidelines below for long-acting drenches[1].
Treat the entire mob now with a drench[1] shown to be effective against the worms present and then WormTest 4 weeks later[2].
NOTE: Do not use an organophosphate drench on severely worm-affected or stressed goats. Consider that other parasites/diseases cause similar signs.
Treat affected individuals now with an effective short-acting drench[1] and WormTest the mob now. Also, investigate other causes of their signs.
NOTE: Do not use an organophosphate drench on severely worm-affected or stressed goats.
WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching.
Anytime that you are concerned that the treatment is not providing protection, WormTest immediately.
WormTest in 4 weeks (summer) or 6 weeks (winter) after the last treatment was given and observe goats closely for signs of worms[1].
WormTest in another 4 weeks (summer) or 6 weeks (winter) and observe goats closely for signs of worms[1].
This recommendation should be read with the information provided below.
Review available drenches with the WormBoss drench search
Closely examine for signs of worms, yard or hold goats against a fence. Catch and examine 5—10 animals.
Barber's pole worm: anaemia (pale inside eyelids and gums); 'bottle jaw' (swelling under the jaw); lagging or collapse when mustered; death.
Scour worms (black scour worm [Trichostrongylus species]; brown stomach worm [Teladorsagia circumcincta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.
NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider getting veterinary advice.
Goats can sometimes be rapidly re-infected with worms, causing illness and death within 2 weeks of a drench. In these situations (i) check at least weekly for visual signs of barber's pole worm; and (ii) conduct a DrenchCheck. To reduce this risk, prepare low worm-risk pastures.
Victoria: over the counter sheep drenches can be used if residues are kept below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL).
South Australia: cattle drenches can be used in goats, but pour-on formulations should be avoided.
Follow the product labels. Dose to the heaviest goat in the mob. Calibrate equipment to ensure the right dose is delivered with the right procedures. Do not mix drenches unless the label states they are compatible. Check and comply with withholding periods and export slaughter intervals.
Use these principles together, where possible:
For more details read the drench resistance section in the WormBoss Worm Control Program.
Use only under veterinary prescription.
WormTest with a culture at 35, 60 and 90 days after treatment.
If WormTest results are 100 epg or above, drench resistance is likely. Drench immediately with an effective short-acting drench with a different drench group to the long-acting treatment.
Seek veterinary advice on the further use of this product.
If WormTest results are less than 100 epg, then treat with an exit drench at 100 days after the long-acting treatment was given.
Seek veterinary advice if WormTests are positive at or before 60 days.
These help to slow drench resistance to persistent treatments.
Protection period of persistent treatments for sheep
(Goat times are unknown, but likely much shorter as goats metabolise the drenches faster)
Mid-length: 7—28 days. Long-acting: 91—100 days.
NOTE: The registered protection period against susceptible black scour worm with a long-acting moxidectin injection is 49 days, but is not set in goats.
Use a primer before long-acting treatments
Primer drenches (effective short-acting treatments that do not include the drench group in the long-acting treatment) should be given concurrently with all long-acting treatments
Anytime that you are concerned that the persistent treatment is not providing protection, WormTest immediately and seek veterinary advice regarding drench resistance.
Drench Decision Guides
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Grazing management
Nutritional management
Breeding
Host immunity
The Barbervax vaccine program
Drenches
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