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Qld central and south and NSW northwest

WormBoss

Drench Decision Guide

Qld central, south and NSW northwest

Please confirm that you have read the disclaimer details below and accept the conditions of use of the Drench Decision Guide before proceeding.
Disclaimer:
Future events cannot reliably be predicted accurately. The University of New England ("UNE") and Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ("MLA") make no statement, representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on any information relating to the Drench Decision Guide for Goats ('Information'). UNE and MLA disclaim all responsibility for the Information and all liability (including without limitation liability and negligence) for all expenses, costs, losses and damages you may incur as a result of the Information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason. Published October 2016 © The University of New England and Meat & Livestock Australia Limited 2016.
Are these goats showing signs[1] of worms or have they been in high worm-risk conditions (or are you returning to this Drench Decision Guide from a previous recommendation)?

1Signs of worms

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 circumcinta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider seeking veterinary advice.

Are these does that will kid within 4 weeks?
Are these kids that will be weaned within 2 weeks or weaners?
What time of the year is it?
It is October–November: Which situation applies to this mob?
It is March–September: Has there been rain (more than 20 mm) plus follow up rain (more than 10 mm) within a few weeks?
I have a WormTest result.
In the table below, find the worm egg count threshold for the class of goats and the type of WormTest result you have.
Worm egg count (epg) thresholds
Class of goatsNo cultureLess than 60% barber's poleGreater than 60% barber's pole
Does (dry to mid-pregnancy) or wethers500400700
Does pre-kidding200200300
Goats under 18 months or bucks400300500

What is your worm egg count in relation to the threshold value?

WormBoss Drench Decision Guide Report

Region: Qld central, south and NSW northwest

Date: %12 %Oct %2024

Your Selections

History of selection will appear here

Your Recommended Action

Treat now with a short-acting drench[1] effective against both barber's pole worm and scour worms; WormTest in 4—6 weeks[2] after a short-acting drench. Consider a long-acting treatment for barber's pole worm under higher rainfall conditions; follow the guidelines[1] below for long-acting treatments. Remember that other parasites/diseases can cause similar signs.

WormTest with a larval culture now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching.

The goats probably have nodule worm. Treat with a short-acting drench[1] effective against nodule worm* in your next drench or in May/June (when frosty weather begins) and in September/October.

*Nodule worm drenches must contain either a benzimidazole (BZ) or a macrocyclic lactone (ML) group.

Treat at weaning with a short-acting drench[1] effective against both scour worms and barber's pole worm; WormTest in 4—6 weeks[2] after a short-acting drench. Consider a long-acting treatment for barber's pole worm under higher rainfall conditions; follow the guidelines[1] below for long-acting drenches.

WormTest in 4 weeks (summer) or 6 weeks (winter) after the last effective short-acting drench was given, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching. If the last drench was mid- or long-acting, follow the guidelines[2] below for long-acting drenches. Observe goats closely for signs of worms between drenching and worm testing[3].

No treatment is required if these goats were treated in October/November; if they were not, WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching.

WormTest representative mobs (with a larval culture).

  • If the egg count is below 200 epg no treatment is required.
  • If the egg count is 200—500 epg, treat all goats now with a short-acting drench[1] effective against barber's pole worm, scour worms (and nodule worm* if present).
  • If the egg count is above 500 epg and the culture shows barber's pole worm is present at greater than 60%, treat all goats now with a drench[1] effective against barber's pole worm, scour worms (and nodule worm* if present), but consider a long-acting treatment for barber's pole worm.

If no treatment was required or a short-acting drench was used, WormTest again in 4—6 weeks[2]. If a long-acting drench was used, follow the guidelines[1] below for long-acting drenches.

*Nodule worm drenches must contain either a benzimidazole (BZ) or a macrocyclic lactone (ML) group.

Treat now with a short-acting drench[1] effective against barber's pole worm, scour worms (and nodule worm* if present). WormTest again in 4—6 weeks[2].

*Nodule worm drenches must contain either a benzimidazole (BZ) or a macrocyclic lactone (ML) group.

Adult dry goats under drier conditions with no signs of worms do not need drenching. WormTest in late February.

No treatment is required, WormTest during March–September once there has been significant rain (20+ mm) with follow up rain (10+ mm) within a few weeks, or prior to mustering goats for management activities.

Treat now with a short-acting drench[1] effective against scour worms, barber's pole worm (and nodule worm* if present). In 4—6 weeks follow this Drench Decision Guide again from the beginning with this mob. Consider a long-acting treatment for barber's pole worm under higher rainfall conditions. Follow the guidelines[1] below for long-acting drenches.

*Nodule worm drenches must contain either a benzimidazole (BZ) or a macrocyclic lactone (ML) group.

No treatment is required. If the mob was scouring, investigate other causes including coccidiosis, green feed and hypersensitivity. In 4—6 weeks follow this Drench Decision Guide again from the beginning with this mob.

This recommendation should be read with the information provided below.

1High risk barber's pole worm conditions

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.

1Signs of worms

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 circumcinta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider seeking veterinary advice.

3Guidelines for worm control treatments

When using anthelmintic products in goats, obtain a veterinary prescription because:

  • Goats require a different dose rate and withholding period to that on the label.
  • Many drenches are not registered for use in goats (see exceptions below).

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.

When giving all treatments

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.

Choosing treatment options on your property

Use these principles together, where possible:

  1. Use drenches tested to be most effective on your property and either multi-active products or more than one active concurrently (up the race with one and then the other); if drench effectiveness is unknown, conduct a DrenchCheck after drenching.
  2. Use short-acting treatments—reserve long-acting products for specific purposes or high worm-risk times.

For more details read the drench resistance section in the WormBoss Worm Control Program.

Check effectiveness of long-acting treatments

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.

Primer and exit drenches

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

Use an exit drench after all mid-length and long-acting treatments

  • Treat with an 'exit drench'—an effective short-acting treatment that does not include the drench group in the mid-length or long-acting treatment. Also called a 'tail-cutter' drench.
  • Give this at 42 days (mid-length) or 100 days (long-acting) after the treatment was given.
  • WormTest 4–6 weeks after the exit drench.

Anytime that you are concerned that the persistent treatment is not providing protection, WormTest immediately and seek veterinary advice regarding drench resistance.