Closely examine for signs of worms, yard or hold goats against a fence. Catch and examine 5—10 animals.
Scour worms (black scour worm [Trichostrongylus species]; brown stomach worm [Teladorsagia circumcincta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.
Barber's pole worm: anaemia (pale inside eyelids and gums); 'bottle jaw' (swelling under the jaw); lagging or collapse when mustered; death.
NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider seeking veterinary advice.
Worm egg count (epg) thresholds | |||
Class of goat or time of year | No culture OR less than 60% barber's pole | Greater than 60% barber's pole | |
Does (dry to mid-pregnancy) or wethers | 250 | 400 | |
Does pre-kidding | 150 | 250 | |
Goats under 18 months or bucks | 150 | 300 | |
Time of 1st or 2nd summer drench | 100 | 100 |
Liver fluke: This requires a different test than for roundworms. Any positive liver fluke test is significant and requires action: treatment and grazing management.
Nematodirus (thin-necked intestinal worm): This can cause scouring and deaths with very low or zero worm egg counts (particularly in weaners as the immatures cause most damage to the intestinal wall), and after summer storms. Seek professional advice.
Region: NSW central, southern and southwest
Date: %14 %Dec %2024
WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching. Include a larval culture if
Treat now with a short-acting drench[1] effective against both barber's pole worm and scour worms[2]; WormTest in 4—6 weeks[3] after a short-acting drench. Consider a long-acting treatment for weaners, in particular, if worm challenge is high and low worm-risk paddocks are not available. Follow the guidelines[1] below for long-acting treatments. Remember that other parasites/diseases, including liver fluke, can cause similar signs. If signs have not improved in 4—7 days, seek veterinary advice. After drenching, do a DrenchCheck-Day10 if this drench group has not been tested in the last year.
There are 3 times to conduct worm control practices:
After drenching, do a DrenchCheck-Day10 on each drench group that has not been tested in the last year.
Treat at weaning with a short-acting drench[1] effective against scour worms[2] (and barber's pole worm if this is a problem on your property), (this may coincide with the first summer drench); then WormTest in 4—6 weeks[3] after a short-acting drench. Consider a long-acting treatment for weaners in particular if worm challenge is high and low worm-risk paddocks are not available. Follow the guidelines[1] below for long-acting drenches. After drenching, do a DrenchCheck-Day10 if this drench group has not been tested in the last year.
Treat all goats with an effective short-acting 'first summer drench'[1] when the pastures are haying off in late spring/early summer. After drenching, do a DrenchCheck-Day10 if this drench group has not been tested in the last year.
Treat now with a short-acting drench[1] effective against scour worms[2] (and barber's pole worm if there were greater than 60% barber's pole worm in the WormTest culture results). In 4—6 weeks proceed from Question 1 of the Drench Decision Guide with this mob. Consider a long-acting treatment for weaners in particular if worm challenge is high and low worm-risk paddocks are not available. Follow the guidelines[1] below for long-acting drenches. After drenching, do a DrenchCheck-Day10 if this drench group has not been tested in the last year.
No treatment is required. If the mob showed signs[1] suggesting worms, investigate other causes. In 4—6 weeks proceed from Question 1 of the Drench Decision Guide with this mob.
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.
Scour worms (black scour worm [Trichostrongylus species]; brown stomach worm [Teladorsagia circumcincta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.
Barber's pole worm: anaemia (pale inside eyelids and gums); 'bottle jaw' (swelling under the jaw); lagging or collapse when mustered; death.
NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider seeking veterinary advice.
Goats can sometimes be rapidly re-infected with worms, causing illness and death within 3 weeks of a drench when WECs will still be low or zero. If the onset of scouring, weight loss or deaths is sudden, urgently seek veterinary advice.
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.