Current recommendations for internal parasite control in small ruminants

Current recommendations for internal parasite control in small ruminantsSUSAN SCHOENIAN (SHAY-NE-UN)Sheep & Goat SpecialistUniversity of Maryland [email protected] - sheepandgoat.com - wormx.info

Current recommendations for internal parasite control in small ruminantsTopic outline American Consortium for Small

Ruminant Parasite Control Background

Problem and parasites Anthelmintics and resistance Targeted selective treatment (TST) Combination treatments

American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC)

Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (SCSRPC) was formed in 2003 in response to the critical state of the small ruminant industry associated with the emergence of anthelmintic-resistant worms.

As membership expanded, the name was changed to the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC).

A group of scientists, veterinarians, and extension specialists devoted to:1) Developing novel

methods for sustainable control of gastro-intestinal nematodes in small ruminants; and

2) Educating stakeholders in the small ruminant industry on the most up-to-date methods and recommendations for control of gastrointestinal nematodes.

Our web site: acsrpc.org or wormx.info Timely Topics (new article monthly) Member profiles and contact info Articles Journal articles and abstracts Teaching materials Videos and images Conference proceedings

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List of FAMACHA© instructorsDo you want your name added?

List of upcoming workshopsAre you conducting a workshop?

Your one-stop information source for internal parasite control in small

ruminants.

Gastro-intestinal parasites (GIP)

Gastro-intestinal parasites (GIP) are the primary health problem affecting sheep and goats in warm, moist climates.

There are many reasons why sheep and goats are more vulnerable to parasitic infection than other farm animals.

Sheep and goats can be infected simultaneously with many different kinds of GIP, but two are usually of primary concern: barber pole worm and coccidia.

Risk of parasitic infection varies

Environment Geographic region Climate

Season Rainfall Temperature Humidity

Farm: production practices Birthing period Grazing practices Method of growing/finishing lambs

and kids.

Animal Species

Goats generally more susceptible than sheep

BreedSome breeds less susceptiblee.g. hair sheep, Kiko and Spanish goats

AgeYoung stock most vulnerable

Production status/levelPeriparturient female also more vulnerable

Challenges to controlling internal parasites in small ruminants

Parasites Short, direct life cycles Strongyles have ability to go into

hypobiotic (arrested) state and survive over the winter in the animal.

Barber pole worm is a very prolific egg layer.

Barber pole worm is one of the most pathogenic (deadly) parasites.

Drugs No new dewormers in over 20 years. New dewormers are not sold in US.

(Zolvix®, Startect®) No combination products in US. Few FDA-approved dewormers for

goats; ELDU usually required to effectively treat goats.

The worms have developed resistance to all dewormers and dewormer groups.

Gastro-intestinal parasites of small ruminantsMulti-cellular: Helminths

1. NematodesRoundwormsStrongyles

2. CestodesTapewormsFlatworms

3. TrematodesFlukes

Single-cell: Protozoa1. Coccidia2. Giardia3. Cryptospordia

Nematodes - Roundworms - StrongylesPrimary1. Haemonchus contortus

Barber pole worm2. Trichostrongylus spp.

Black scour worm (bankrupt worm)3. Teladorsagia (Ostertagia)

Brown stomach worm

Other Cooperia

small intestinal worm Nematodirus

threadneck worm Oesaphagostomum

nodule worm Bunostomum

Hookworm Trichuris ovis

Whipworm Strongyloides

Threadworms Lungworms Parelaphostrongylus tenuis

Meningeal wormDeer worm, brain worm

Gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN)roundworms, strongyles1. Haemonchus contortus

Barber pole worm2. Trichostrongylus

Black scour worm3. Teladorsagia (Ostertagia)

Brown stomach worm

Eggs look the same; need to hatch larvae in order to differentiate species.Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia are often not differentiated even when doing larvae ID.

Clinical signs of infectionBarber pole wormHaemonchus contortus

AnemiaBlood and protein lossLow packed cell volume (PCV)

Sub-mandibular enemaswelling under jaw“Bottle jaw”

Loss of weight and condition Scours (diarrhea) Weakness Anorexia Death (often) Acute haemonchosis = sudden death

Trichostrongylus spp.Teladorsagia

Hypersensitivity of gutDamage and inflammation of gutDiarrhea (scours)

Loss of weight and conditionSlow growth

Lethargy Death (sometimes)

Additive: usually part of mixed infections with H. contortus.

Meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) Parasite of white tail deer

(non-pathogenic) Sheep, goats, and camelids are

abnormal, aberrant hosts for parasite. Parasite has indirect life cycle:

snail or slug required as intermediate host.

Sheep/goats get infected when they consume snail, slug, or slime stream (on vegetation) containing L3 (larvae).

Larvae travel from intestinal tract to spinal cord to brain, causing nerve damage and inflammation.

Meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis)

No definitive diagnostic in live animal Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs

and history. Parasite is difficult to locate in necropsy. Symptoms: lameness, hind end weakness,

gait abnormality, constant itching, paralysis (extreme) and death (rare).

Animals typically maintain appetite. No proven or FDA-approved treatment. Cornell University has been

evaluating treatment protocols and potential for vaccine.

Cornell University image

Treatment protocol for meningeal worm (ELDU, Rx) Cornell University (14 farms: 38 goats and sheep)

Not pregnant Late GestationFenbendazole (SafeGuard®)

25 mg/kg orally for five days (1 1/3 cc/10 lbs.[Meat WD: 28 d, goats; 80 d, sheep]

Dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg IM for first 3 days (½ cc/10 lbs.)0.1 mg/kg IM for next 2 days (¼ cc/10 lbs.)

Banamine1.1 mg/kg orally for 5 days

(1 cc/100 lbs.)Treatment A Treatment B

Ivermectin 1% injectable0.5 mg /kg SQ for 5 days (¼/10 lbs.)

[Meat WD: 96 d, sheep and goat]Ivermectin placebo

¼ cc/10 lbs. SQ for 5 days

It is not known if ivermectin improves outcome; however, it increases meat withdrawal to 96 d.Theoretically, ivermectin cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier.

https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_392.pdf

Tapeworms (Moniezia expansa)

Diagnosed by seeing segments in feces or passage of worm.

Only worm that is visible in feces or outside of animal.

Parasite has indirect life cycle; pasture (grass) mite serves as intermediate host.

Tend to be non-pathogenic; immunity develops at an early age.

Almost all research (sheep) shows no benefit to treating for tapeworms.

Tapeworms (Moniezia expansa)

Heavy infestations 1. Mild unthriftiness and GI disturbances 2. Intestinal blockages (rare) 3. Alter intestinal function/affect gut

motility, predisposition to enterotoxemia (occasional.

Treatment SafeGuard® (2x dose, Rx) Valbazen® (Rx, goats) Praziquantel [Rx] via Quest Plus®,

Equimax®, or Zimecterin Gold®. Sheep and goats can be intermediate

hosts for tapeworms that infect dogs.Called sheep measles (cysts in meat).

Coccidia Eimeria spp.

Not all Eimeria spp. are pathogenic

Eimeria spp. are host-specific Coccidia has a more complex life

cycle than roundworms.

Coccidiosis Most commonly seen in lambs and kids

just before weaning. Most common in intensively-managed

operations, but outbreaks can occur in pasture-rearing environments.

Most commonly associated with poor hygiene, wet conditions, overcrowding, and stress.

Sheep develop strong and lifelong immunity; coccidiosis is rare in adult sheep.

Goats don’t develop as strong immunity; coccidiosis can occur in goats of any age.

Adults harbor small numbers of coccidia and are source of infection for their offspring.

Signs of coccidia infection Diarrhea (scours) – not always

Brown, liquid, foul-smellingSometimes containing blood or mucous

Dirty hocks, tail Hollow flanks, hunched up appearance Open fleece Depressed Dehydration Anemia Death (some cases) Fecal oocyst counts not overly reliable

as a diagnostic tool.

Animals that recover may experience more subtle and long-lasting effects.

CoccidiosisPrevention

Good hygiene and management Coccidiostats in feed or mineral

1. Lasalocid Bovatec® (sheep, Rx goats)

2. Monensin Rumensin® (goats, Rx sheep)

3. Decoquinate (non antibiotic)Deccox® (sheep, goats)

Coccidiostats in water1. Amprolium (Rx, OTC)*

Corid®2. Sulfa drugs (Rx)*

Di-Methox® Natural control

Sericea lespedeza Oregano oil

Treatment Amprolium (OTC, Rx)

Corid® Sulfa drugs* (Rx)

Di-Methox®

*As part of the new Veterinary Feed Directive (2017), water-soluble drugs (e.g. sulfa antibiotics; Di-Methox®) transitioned from OTC to Rx.

Sericea lespedeza for natural control of internal parasites

Experiment 1 Experiment 2A Experiment 2B0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Percent reduction in egg and oocyst counts (after 7 days) compared to control diet

EPG OPG

Differences were maintained or increased throughout trial. In Exp. 2, fecal consis-tency scores were lower in goats fed SL pellets for 4 weeks .

Fort Valley State University: recently weaned bucks were fed SL pellets for 28 days (confinement)2A: pellets from leaf meal stored 3 years; 2B: pellets from leaf meal stored less than 6 months.

Sericea lespedeza for natural control of internal parasites (lambs)

Experiment 1 Weaned lambs (n=76)

Naturally infectedControl or SL dietWith or w/o amprolium

Fecal oocyst counts were similar between dietary groups.

Fecal oocyst counts declined more rapidly after weaning in amprolium-fed lambs.

Control lambs had higher fecal scores (more soiling).

Experiment 3 Lambs (n=24)

Control or SL dietInnoculated with 50,000 sporulated oocysts.

Fecal egg and oocyst counts were reduced in SL-fed lambs.

Experiment 2 Twin-bearing ewes

Nursing lambs (n=62Creep fedControl or SL diet30 d before weaningWeaned to semi-confinement

Fecal oocyst counts were similar between dietary groups, but declined in SL-fed lambs by weaning.

Dag and fecal scores were lower by weaning for SL-fed lambs.

No SL-fed lambs required treatment compared to 33% of control lambs.

Anthelmintics 101There are only 3 families of drugs.

BENZIMIDAZOLES (BZ)“white dewormers”

1.FenbendazoleSafeguard® Panacur®

2.AlbendazoleValbazen®

3.OxyfendazoleSynanthic®

MACROCYLIC LACTONES (ML)

1.Avermectinsa) Ivermectin

Ivomec®Primectin®Privermectin®

b) EprinomectinEprinex®

c) DoramectinDectomax®

2.Milbimycinsa)Moxidectin

Cydectin®Quest®

NICOTINIC AGONISTS“cell depolarizers”

1.Imidazothiaolesa) Levamisole

Prohibit®Leva-Med®

2.Tetrahydropyrimidinesa) Morantel

Rumatel®Positive Goat PelletGoat dewormer

b) PyrantelStrongid®

1 32

(1) Benzimidazol

es

(2) Macrocylic lactones(3)

NicotinicsAvermectins

Milbimycins

Adult worms Immature worms (L4)

-

Hypobiotic larvae ?Lung worms +Tapeworms Liver flukes adultCoccidiaExternal parasites Persistent activity Safety Do not use in first

45 days of pregnancy

++++ ++++ ++

Resistance (in general)

++++ +++ ++ +

FDA-approved Valbazen® Ivomec® Cydectin® Levamisole®

Labeled dosage 3 ml/100 lbs. 3 ml/26 lbs. 1 ml/11 lbs. 2 ml/50 lbs.*Meat withdrawal 7 days 11 days 7 days 3 days

FDA-approved anthelmintics for sheep

*Concentrated drench: 52 g packet mixed in 17.5 oz. of water

(1) Benzimidazoles (3) NicotinicsSafeGuard® Valbazen® Rumatel®

Adult worms Immature worms (L4) Hypobiotic larvae Lung worms Tapeworms not labeledLiver flukes adultCoccidiaExternal parasitesSafety ++++ Do not use first 45

days of pregnancy

+++

Resistance ++++ n/a ?Labeled dosage per 100 lbs. 2.3 ml 4 ml 44 g or 0.1 lb.Meat withdrawal 6 days 7 days 30 daysMilk withdrawal NA NA 0 days

FDA-approved anthelmintics for goats

(1) Benzimidazoles (2) Macrocylic lactones (3) Nicotinics

SafeGuard® Valbazen® Ivomec® Cydectin® Prohibit®

Adult worms Immature worms (L4) -Hypobiotic larvae ?Lung worms +Tape worms Adult liver flukes CoccidiaExternal parasites Persistent activity ?Safety ++++ Restricted use

during early pregnancy

++++ ++++ ++

Resistance ++++ ++++ +++ ++ +Dosage per 25 lbs. 1.1 ml 2 ml 6 ml 4.5 ml 2.7 ml*Meat withdrawal 16 days 9 days 14 days 17 days 4 daysMilk withdrawal 4 days 7 days 9 days 8 days 3 days

Extra-label anthelmintics for goats (Rx, ELDU)

Source: ACSRPC (http://www.wormx.info/dewormers) *52 g packet mixed in 1 quart (943 ml) of water

Anthelmintic (dewormer) resistance

Worms have developed varying degrees of resistance to all dewormers and dewormer groups; there is cross resistance to dewormers in same group.

Resistance varies by geographic location and individual farm and is affected by prior dewormer use.

Resistant worms pass their resistant genes onto the next generation or worms.

Resistance differs in levamisole (homozygous recessive=resistance)

Resistance is/was inevitable; no treatment will kill 100% of worms.

Resistance is defined as failure to reduce fecal egg counts by 95% or more (WAAVP).

Studies done more than 5 years ago

Two ways to test for anthelmintic resistance

Fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) Compare before and after fecal

egg counts or after treatment egg counts.

Need to test each drug separately with individual or pooled samples from 10-15 animals (same animals each time)

Cost of testing is variable.$5-$20 per sampleUse pooled samples to reduce cost

Producer can learn to do their own fecals.

DrenchRite® TestLarval development assay

Determine dewormer resistance for all dewormers simultaneously from a single pooled fecal sample.

Larvae ID is part of test. Dr. Ray Kaplan’s lab at

University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine is only place that does test in North America.[[email protected]]

$450 per sample

FECRT: Old Guidelines (WAAVP) Utilize animals that have not been dewormed for prior

8-12 weeks. Allocate animals to either a treatment or control

(nontreated) group. You’ll need a treatment group for each dewormer you want to test.

15 animals per group is recommended. The fewer animals you have the less confidence you will have in the results (from a statistical standpoint).

Average FEC of group should be at least 250 epg. Lambs and kids are preferred age group to test

because they tend to have higher FECs. Compare FEC means of treated group to control group

10-14 days after treatment. >95% is indicative of drug susceptibility.

FECRT: New Guidelines (WAAVP) Compare pre- and post-treatment fecal egg

counts of treated animals; no control group is needed.

15 animals per group. You’ll need a different group for each drug you want to test.

No minimum FEC is required, but eggs counted pre-treatment across all animals should exceed 140, though anything above 100 eggs should yield good results.

Use same number of slides/chambers for post-treatment counting.

Three highest egg counts shouldn’t account for more than 50% of sum of all individual egg counts.

Modified McMaster may not be appropriate if egg counts are low.

FECRT: Pooled Fecal Samples

Few sheep and goat producers test for anthelmintic resistance.

The use of pooled composite fecal samples could reduce the cost of testing and encourage more producers to test for resistance.

Research shows that there is little difference in FECR results between individual and pooled composite fecal samples.

FECRT: Pooled fecal samples Collect paired fecal samples via the

rectum from a minimum of 15 animals. The same animals must be sample pre-

and post-treatment. Mix samples thoroughly. Weigh 1 g from each sample Combine into one composite sample. Follow new guidelines (WAAVP) for

determining FECR. Can also use multiple pooled composite

samples to determine anthelmintic resistance.

Limitation of FECRT FECRT requires significant time and effort (cost). FECRT requires a lot of animals; most producers

don’t have enough. The fewer the animals tested, the higher the

variability will be; the less confidence in the results. The lower the pre-treatment FEC, the higher the

variability will be; the less confidence in the results. FECRT is only performed for a single dose (e.g.

labeled sheep dose or 2x label for goats). Observed efficacy is subject to high variability once

it falls below 95%. FECRT should only be used to indicate whether

resistance is present (or not).

DrenchRite® TestLarval development assay (LDA) Determines resistance status to all drug

classes simultaneously from a single pooled fecal sample.

Eggs isolated from sample are placed in specially-made well assay plates, containing doubling concentrations of the drugs.

Critical well values which correlate to fecal egg count reductions are used to determine resistance.

Resistance is present if the percentage reduction in fecal egg count is less than 95%.

Depending upon level of resistance, actual efficacy may vary from 0 to 95%.

Determining anthelmintic resistance on sheep farms in the Southeastern US Determine anthelmintic (dewormer)

resistance on 30 commercial sheep farms (preferably 100+ ewes) in Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia.

Project funded by ASI’s Let’s Grow Program.

1.University of Maryland2.Virginia State University3.Fort Valley State University

Cost-share DrenchRite® test (larval development assay; $450) to determine anthelmintic resistance.

Tests conducted by University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine (Dr. Ray Kaplan’s lab).

In 2016

DrenchRite ® Test results

Percent farms (n=26) with anthelmintic resistanceFECR <95%

Benzimidazoles Ivermectin Levamisole Moxidectin0102030405060708090

100

Maryland Virginia Georgia

In 2016

Benzimidazoles (SafeGuard®)Albendazole (Valbazen®), Oxyfendazole (Synanthic®)

Ivermectin (Ivomec®)Avermectins: Doramectin (Dectomax®), Eprinomectin (Eprinex®)

Moxidectin (Cydectin®)

Levamisole®Prohibit®, Leva-Med®

Anthelmintic (dewormer) resistance We can’t prevent the development of

resistant worms, but we can affect the rate by which the worms develop resistance.

On most farms, resistance is probably still at a level where there is still time to slow it down and enable the continued use of some anthelmintics.

Resistance was previously thought to be permanent, but there is evidence of reversion to susceptibility when combination treatments (multiple drug actives) are combined with resistance management strategies.

Some level of “infection” is normal and acceptable.

The goal of an internal parasite control program is to maintain welfare and prevent clinical disease (production loss), while preserving long-term efficacy of drugs.

Anthelmintics are a valuable, but limited resource; regular deworming is no longer advocated.

Control of internal parasites

Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) Only treating those animals which require

deworming or would benefit from treatment.

Never treating the whole group. Increases refugia

Slows drug resistance

Helps to identify resistant and susceptible animals for selection and culling.

Refugia are worms (in animal and on pasture) that have not been exposed to drug, thus remain susceptible.

Targeted Selective Treatment (TST)Three on-farm decision making tools1.FAMACHA© eye anemia system2.Five Point Check©3.Happy Factor™

Performance-based criteria

FAMACHA© system FAMACHA© system was developed for small-

scale sheep farmers in South Africa in response to growing anthelmintic resistance. System validated for goats System validated in US for sheep and goats

A system to assess anemia (primary symptom of barber pole worm infection) in sheep and goats and to determine the need for deworming individual animals.

Named for its originator: Dr. Francois “Faffa” Malan

Faffa Malan Chart

Clinical Category

Eye Lid Color

Packed Cell Volume/PC

V

Treatmentrecommendatio

n1 Red > 28 No2 Red-Pink 23-27 No3 Pink 18-22 ?4 Pink-White 13-17 Yes5 White < 12 Yes

FAMACHA© system

Addresses limitations of FAMACHA©, which is only effective for blood feeding parasites, such as Haemonchus.

Extension of TST to determine need for deworming for additional internal parasites that affect sheep and goats.

Especially useful when deciding whether or not to deworm FAMACHA© score 3’s.

Involves 5 check points on the animal: eye, back, tail, jaw, and nose.

Developed for sheep For goats, can replace nose

checkpoint with coat condition.

Five Point Check© 5.©

Check Point Observation Possibilities

1. EYE Anemia1-5(FAMACHA© card)

Barber pole worm (Haemonchus)Liver flukeHook wormsOther worms and causes

2. BACK Body condition score1-5(BCS card)

Brown stomach worm (Teladorsagia)Bankrupt worm (Trichostrongylus)Nodular wormOther worms and causes

3. TAIL Fecal soiling(1-5)Dag score card

Brown stomach worm (Teladorsagia)Bankrupt worm (Trichostrongylus)Coccidia (Eimeria)Nodular worm (Oesophagostomum)Other worms and causes

4. JAW Soft swelling“Bottle jaw”1-5

Barber pole worm (Haemonchus)Coccidia (Eimeria)Liver flukeHook wormsOther worms and causes

5. NOSE Discharge1-5

Nasal botflyLungwormsPneumoniaOther causes

5. COAT Coat condition1-3

Barber pole worm (Haemonchus)Brown stomach worm (Teladorsagia)Bankrupt worm (Trichostrongylus)Coccidia (Eimeria)External parasitesOther causes

The Happy Factor™“A happy sheep is a healthy sheep.”

Developed in Europe and New Zealand, where barber pole worm is not the primary parasite, but “scour” worms are.

Performance-based model; deworm when animals fail to meet performance targets. Live weight gain Milk production

Will be most practical with use of individual electronic ID and automatic weighing platforms.

More information/research needed. Not tested for barber pole worm: will it work?

Limitations of fecal egg counts as a diagnostic tool Not a highly accurate test, especially at low numbers. Parasites vary in their egg producing capacity. Immature worms (L4s) suck blood, but do not lay eggs. Inhibited larvae do not lay eggs. There is a day-to-day variability in counts, even in stable

worm populations. Eggs are not always evenly distributed in manure. Loose stools (diarrhea) may underestimate egg counts. Some eggs look the same and cannot be differentiated at

the egg stage (e.g. Haemonchus vs. Trichostrongylus) Not all parasites (or strains) are pathogenic. There are different procedures for doing fecal egg counts. The possibility of human error. Should not be used as SOLE indicator of when/if to deworm

animal.

http://www.wormx.info/combinations

Impact of using dewormers in combination on efficacy of treatment

Efficacy of combination treatment

Efficacy

FECR # eggs

1000LEV 95% 950 50MOX 95% 47.5 3.5BZ 20% 0.7 2.8

998.299.8%

Using combination dewormers

No combination dewormers are available in the US.

So -- each dewormer must be purchased separately.

And -- each dewormer must be administered separately in a different syringe.

Each dewormer should be given at full dose in a close time span.

The withdrawal period for the dewormer with the longest withdrawal period should be followed (is Cydectin® for sheep and goats).

Use a Targeted Selective Treatment Approach: if you don’t maintain refugia, eventually all dewormers will be ineffective.

Dewormers should not be mixed. They are not chemically compatible.

Water soluble vs. suspensions Water soluble vs. lipophilic

You don’t know how much to mix (how many animals will require treatment)

The purpose of combination treatment is to increase the efficacy of a single treatment. Why do something that will jeopardize efficacy?

FDA regulates compounding of animal drugs. Only veterinarians are allowed to compound medications.

Recommended combination treatment for sheep and goats

+ +Valbazen® Cydectin® Prohibit®*

Sheep 1.5 ml/50 lbs.[7 days]

4.5 ml/50 lbs.[7 days]

3.7 ml/50 lbs.[3 days]

Goats 4 ml/50 lbs.[9 days meat][7 days milk]

9 ml/50 lbs.[17 days meat][8 days milk]

5.5 ml/50 lbs.[4 days meat][3 days milk]

*Dose of Prohibit® depends upon how product is mixed. Dose is given for dissolving 52 g packet in 943 ml (1 quart) of water.

http://www.wormx.info/dewormers

Combination treatmentsThe time is now!

The time for combination treatments is not after resistance has become a big problem.

The earlier, the better. If you use combinations when the

drugs are still highly effective … there will be a dramatic change in the evolution of drug resistance in the worm populations on your farm.

If efficacy of dewormers >80%, you may not notice any difference in clinical response.

Using copper oxide wire particles (COWPs) to increase dewormer efficacy

Treatment(10-23 lambs per Tx group)

Efficacy (%FECR)

No treatment (control) IncreaseValbazen® (3 ml/50 lbs.) 20%COWP (2 g, Ultracruz™) 58%COWP (2 g, Copasure®) 12%Valbazen® + COWP 99%

+Similar results would be expected if COWPs were combined with other dewormers (e.g. Prohibit®). USDA ARS (Booneville, AR) Study, Published

2016.

What are copper oxide wire particles?

Small needles composed of copper oxide (Cu20).

COWPs have been shown to reduce barber pole worm infections in sheep and goats; exact mechanism of control is unknown.

There are copper boluses (Copasure®, 12.5 and 25 g) available for cattle (for copper supplementation) that can be repackaged into smaller doses for sheep and goats. Buy gel caps and weigh out 0.5-1 g of

COWP needles (easy to do). Administer with balling gun, pet pilling gun,

or PVC pipe and dowel.

Several companies sell COWPs in 2 and 4 g dosages for goats (for copper supplementation)1. UltraCruz™2. Copasure® (Animax)

Using COPWs for internal parasite control in small ruminants COWPs should only be used as part

of a targeted selective deworming program utilizing the FAMACHA© system, Five Point Check©, or Happy Factor™ (performance-based deworming protocol).

Know your copper status before giving any supplemental form of copper to livestock, especially sheep.

The 2 and 4 g boluses of COWP should probably not be used for deworming purposes, especially for sheep. Lesser dosages are effective and safer.

Field trial with COWP2014 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test

Mid-way through the test (d-42) which was at the end of the “parasite challenge phase” of test, test bucks (n=77) were given a gel cap containing ~0.5 g of copper oxide wire particles (COWPs).

Nine bucks required deworming (based on FAMACHA© scores and 5 Point ©) were dewormed with a commercial dewormer (either levamisole or moxidectin).

Fifteen (15) bucks from the pasture group of the pen vs. pasture study served as controls: they did not receive any treatments. Pen group also did not receive any treatment.

Field trial with COWPs2014 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance TestTreatment #

goatsJuly 17

Avg. FECJuly 31

Avg. FECAvg.FECR

Dewormer Effective 8 8735 103 98.6Ineffective 1 500 275 45.0

COWPs Effective 53 2768 388 81.7Ineffective 8 723 2000 < 0

No treatment(Control)

Pasture 15 2164 2371 < 0Pen 12 1216 758 37.7

Field trial with COWPs2014 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Testc

d (-6) d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-840

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

Test - COWPAVG FEC EPG

COWP

Field trial with COWPs2014 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test

Treatment with COWPs reduced FECs by 74.6 + .09% (53-86 % CI), compared to 92.9 + .09% (84-96% CI) for the commercial dewormer(s).

There was no reduction in fecal egg counts in the CON group.

COWPs were determined to be moderately effective at reducing FECs, but the effect was less than for the commercial dewormer and by d-28, FECs had increased to pre-treatment levels.

Thank you.Comments?Questions?

SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep & Goat SpecialistUniversity of Maryland [email protected] – wormx.info