The biology blog entitled “Deworming Lambs” discusses pasture rotation as a method of keeping parasite numbers down. The article talks about using gel capsules filled with copper oxide as an alternative to more common methods.
In a study done at the ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, AK, researchers gave these capsules to 71 lambs that were showing signs of parasite infestation. In all but one case, the level of infestation was significantly reduced.
There are many other ways of keeping parasite numbers down, other than just medication and pasture rotation. Interspecies grazing, manure removal and not over-populating pastures also help.
Many people who are concerned about parasites keep their animals on a deworming regiment whether their animals are showing signs of infestation or not. When medication is constantly introduced into an animals system the worms inside build up an immunity to it. To keep this from happening some people will try to rotate the types of deforming medication they use, but this only contributes to the build up of a super-parasite that is resistant to a wide variety or medications.
Dr. Steve Purdy is a professor at Umass and the head veterinarian at the Umass Hadley Farm recommends not deworming unless the parasites are causing an actual problem. If proper management practices are in order (clean, not over crowded or overgrazed pastures) and the animals are in good condition, not showing signs of worms, he says there is no need for any medication whatsoever.
To determine the parasite load it is customary to perform a fecal egg count, if the egg count is extremely elevated, and the animal is showing signs of parasites then a dewormer should be administered.
Its interesting to think about how exactly the copper oxide attacks the worm load, and if parasites will be able to build up a resistance to it as well. Also, whether or not these methods would help eliminate parasites in species other than lambs, or if they would have affects similar to that of diatomaceous earth which simply dries out the feces, making the eggs invisible during a fecal egg count.
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Posted by Emily Nobrega
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