Home Tools Victoria

Victoria

WormBoss

Drench Decision Guide

Victoria

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] suggesting a worm infection?

1Signs of worms

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); lethargy, lagging or collapse when mustered; death.

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Seek veterinary advice if WormTests do not indicate worms.

Are these kids or weaners?
Are these bucks?
Are these does or wethers (or bucks)?

WormBoss Drench Decision Guide Report

Region: Victoria

Date: %14 %Dec %2024

Your Selections

History of selection will appear here

Your Recommended Action

WormTest now. Treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if egg count exceeds 200 epg, then WormTest again in 4—6 weeks[2].

If results show scour worms are not the likely cause of the scouring/weight loss, seek veterinary advice.

WormTest now and request a larval culture. Treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if egg count exceeds 200 epg, then WormTest again in 4—6 weeks[2].

If results show barber's pole worm are not the likely cause of anaemia, seek veterinary advice.

No treatment is required now if kids are developing normally and putting on weight (if not seek veterinary advice). Treat at weaning with an effective short-acting drench[1].

Treat at weaning with an effective short-acting drench[1].

WormTest spring-drop kids 5—6 weeks after this weaning drench (earlier if a wetter than normal summer), or autumn-drop kids 4—5 weeks after[2].

WormTest spring-drop kids 5—6 weeks after the weaning drench (earlier if a wetter than normal summer), or autumn-drop kids 4—5 weeks[1] after the weaning drench or if this is November/December, give them a highly effective short-acting first summer drench.

Continue testing each 4—6 weeks until the autumn break.

  • Treat with an effective short-acting drench[2] if the egg count exceeds 100 epg especially if the paddock weaners are staying on and the paddock is going to be used for weaners or maiden does in winter.
  • Delay the drench if all of the following apply (i) the egg count is less than 200 epg, AND (ii) the paddock will not be used for weaners or maiden does in winter, AND (iii) the weaners are growing and appear well, AND (iv) weaners will go to a 'Smart grazed' paddock within 4 weeks. Drench at the move.

WormTest no later than 4—6 weeks after the autumn break. However, in high risk conditions (paddocks highly contaminated with worms/higher rainfall areas/wetter season/poorer condition) test as early as 2 weeks after the break[1].

Continue testing at 4—6 week intervals through until the end of winter (shorter interval in higher risk conditions). Treat with an effective short-acting drench[2] if egg count exceeds 200 epg, or a different threshold as agreed with your veterinary advisor. Consider a long-acting treatment at the beginning of winter if weaners are going onto unprepared paddocks highly contaminated with worm larvae and conditions are wetter than normal.

Treat bucks with an effective short-acting drench[1] if this coincides with the second summer drench time.

If not, WormTest and treat with an effective short-acting drench[2] if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

If does are in poor to moderate condition (less than Condition Score 2.5), treat with an effective short-acting drench[1].

If does are in moderate to good condition (CS 2.7 or better) WormTest. Treat with an effective short-acting drench1 if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

Treat with a highly effective short-acting drench[1] in November/early December. WormTest 6—8 weeks after this first summer drench[2].

NOTE: The first summer drench time can be staggered across adult dry goat mobs if preparing 'Smart grazed' paddocks with these goats.

WormTest 6—8 weeks after the first summer drench or at the end of January[1]. Treat with a highly effective short-acting drench[2] if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

  • For autumn-kidding does WormTest again just prior to kid marking.
  • For spring-kidding does WormTest again in July/August or sooner if does are losing condition.

In barber's pole worm areas or higher than normal summer rainfall conditions, also observe for anaemia and lethargy.

NOTES: The second summer drench time can be staggered across mobs if preparing 'Smart grazed' paddocks with these goats. Graze adult dry goats for only 14 days if barber’s pole worm is of concern.

If it has been more than 4—6 weeks since the last WormTest or drench, WormTest and treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if the egg count exceeds 100 epg.

If goats will graze a low worm-risk paddock being prepared for weaners in winter, treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] before they enter the paddock. They should remain there no longer than 30 days. WormTest again In July/August or sooner if goats are losing condition[2] and treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

This recommendation should be read with the information provided below.

1Guidelines 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.

2Signs of worms

Scour worm (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); lethargy, lagging or collapse when mustered; death.

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consult your veterinarian if WormTests do not indicate worms.

3High risk worm conditions

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.