Closely examine for signs of worms, yard or hold sheep 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 can cause similar signs. Consider seeking veterinary advice.
| Worm egg count (epg) thresholds | |||
| Class of sheep | No culture | Less than 60% barber's pole | Greater than 60% barber's pole |
| Ewes (dry to mid-pregnancy) or wethers | 500 | 400 | 800 |
| Ewes pre-lambing | 300 | 300 | 300 |
| Sheep under 18 months or rams | 400 | 300 | 500 |
Region: Qld/NSW Summer rainfall/slopes and plains
Date: %22 %Nov %2024
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 sheep 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 sheep closely for signs of worms between drenching and worm testing[3].
No treatment is required if these sheep 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 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.
Older sheep 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 sheep 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.
Review available drenches with the WormBoss drench search
Sheep 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; (ii) use the Haemonchus Dipstick Test; and (iii) conduct a DrenchCheck-Day10. To reduce this risk, prepare low worm-risk pastures.
Closely examine for signs of worms, yard or hold sheep 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 can cause similar signs. Consider seeking veterinary advice.
Follow the product labels. Dose to the heaviest sheep in the mob or groups. 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 withholding periods and export slaughter intervals.
Use these 4 principles together, where possible:
For more details read the drench resistance section in the WormBoss Worm Control Program.
WormTest with a culture at 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 active to the long-acting treatment.
Seek professional 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 (15 weeks) after the long-acting treatment was given.
Seek professional advice if WormTests are positive at or before 60 days.
These help to slow drench resistance to persistent treatments.
Protection period of persistent treatments
Mid-length: 7—28 days. Long-acting: 91—100 days.
NOTE: The protection period against susceptible black scour worm with a long-acting moxidectin injection is 49 days.
Use a primer before long-acting treatments
Primer drenches (effective short-acting treatments that do not include the active 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
Anytime that you are concerned that the persistent treatment is not providing protection, WormTest immediately and seek professional advice regarding drench resistance.
Drench Decision Guides
Management tools
Grazing management
Nutritional management
Breeding
Host immunity
The Barbervax vaccine program
Drenches
Drench resistance
Tests
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