1.
WHEN
DEWORMING
IS NOT
ENOUGH
DR. NIKI WHITLEY
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
WHITLEYN@FVSU.EDU
478-391-4840

2.
Worms
•Internal parasites
•Others- depending on
weather/season
•Haemonchus contortus
(“Barberpole worm”)
• Resistant to drugs from all three
classes (“-dazole”, “-ectin”,
other)
Image: Sue Howell, wormx.info
Image: wormx.info

3.
Management
•Integrated methods-
• Pasture Management
• Animal Management
• Dewormer Management
• Others
www.wormx.info
(photo left)
Image: Niki
Whitley
www.wormx.info/webinar-videos

4.
Management
•Integrated methods-
• Pasture Management
• Rotate (1-3 d), rest (60-90 d), height
(over 6”); use of annuals, burn dormant
pastures, new pastures, use of browse,
alternative forages (sericea); multi-
species grazing (horses/cattle); stocking
rates (start 3-5 adults/acre; best to use
weight/animal units); Bioworma ® for
reduced pasture worm larvae?
Turnips; www.wormx.info - Linda Coffey
Browse; www.wormx.info - Heather Glennon

5.
Management
•Integrated methods-
• Animal Management
• Good nutrition (energy and protein);
higher protein (30% over); may need
to consider supplementation; good
loose minerals (Cu, Co); body
condition score (2-4); focus-weaning
to 1 yr and late pregnant/lactating;
genetic selection
www.wormx.info - Lisa Williamson;
body condition scoring
www.wormx.info - Joan Burke

6.
Management
•Integrated methods-
• Dewormer Management
• Combinations (only those that need
it); TST (FAM/5 Pt Ck); maintain
refugia, give correctly (right dose by
weight; orally over tongue back of
mouth), higher doses for goats;
follow storage directions and
monitor exp. dates; COWP as a
dewormer?
www.wormx.info - Katherine Petersson
www.wormx.info - Joan Burke
Work with vet for extra-label drug use

7.
Deworming Enough?
•If FAMACHA 4 – 5/symptomatic
(diarrhea, rough hair coat, off
feed, weight loss)
• Deworm correctly using effective
(chemical/drug) deworming protocol
• Not eating – supplement first/liver
support? Less ‘harsh’ dewormers first?
No oral use of pour ons…
Images: Susan Schoenian
Consult with a veterinarian

8.
Deworming Enough?
•If FAMACHA 4 – 5/symptomatic
• Fecal egg counts – monitor for
reduction, check for coccidia
• Prevent reinfection (move inside? pen?)
• Keep stress as low as possible
• Another sheep/goat with them
• Monitor FAMACHA© score; usually
takes 2-3 weeks to see a full score
change
Images: Susan Schoenian
Consult with a veterinarian

9.
Nutritional Support
•Provide high quality nutrition/
feed
• Higher protein (legumes, feed)
• Change slowly
• Cut & carry
• “Favorites”
• Keep it close
• Keep in sternal position
• Prop against fence/wall/straw bales
• Right side? Help move?
Image: Susan Schoenian

10.
Nutritional Support
• Not eating – Drench
• Propylene glycol (60 cc twice a
day?); not long term
• Nutrient drenches/homemade
drenches/dark beer (?), karo
syrup/molasses for quick energy;
protein source (powered?)
• Yogurt (live cultures), probiotics?
• Bicarbonate (?)
*Images: Susan Schoenian
*No endorsement of specific trade names is intended

11.
Hydration
• Keep hydrated*
• Water (with electrolytes) nearby
• Drench or Tube (electrolytes)
• Need ½ to 1 gallon/day water min.
• 1 qt = 950 cc; 4 qt/gallon
• Stop diarrhea
• **Kaolin pectin, Pepto-bismol©, similar
• Sericea lespedeza?
Image: Susan Schoenian
*If dehydrated/critical: injectable lactated ringers or isotonic (0.9%) sterile saline i.v. or s.c.
Rx (see veterinarian); **No trade name endorsements intended

12.
Supplemental Treatments
•Some research: Iron
• With injected iron (25 mg/kg or 11.4 mg/lb body weight) on day 0 and
7 of treatment), Rocha et al. (2013) reported increased erythropoiesis
(red blood cell formation) at day 7, 14 and 21 after treatment in lambs
• Casanova et al. (2018) – injected iron dextran (20 mg/kg or 9 mg/lb
bodyweight) during artificial infection with barberpole worm (every 7
days starting at day 10); lambs had improved red blood cell counts,
hematocrit (%) and hemoglobin concentration
Goat producers have used 100 mg/ml iron dextran at 4cc/100 lb (1 cc= 1
ml) daily for 3 days then weekly until stronger with FAM 5 animals; can
overdose them, so consult a veterinarian

13.
Supplemental Treatments
•Some research: Vitamin B12
• In NZ, Chicory reduced FEC in deer; resulted in
higher Cu and B12 (Barry et al. 2002)
• Injectable B12 is Rx only; can use fortified Vitamin
B complex (much lower levels; 10x less B12) has
other B vitamins like B2, niacin, B6 and thiamine
(B1, 5x less than Rx thiamine)
• B9 (folate) and B12 important for blood cell
formation
• Can get oral supplements (B12 water soluble) for
B vitamins and iron
*Image: Susan
Schoenian, modified
*No endorsement of specific trade names is intended

14.
Minerals?
•Cobalt (mineral needed for B12/building blood)/deficiency
•Selenium (in a deficient area)
•Copper (COWP as treatment provides) and zinc deficiencies
can cause anemia
Can overdose animals when ‘treating’ with minerals – take care, work with knowledgeable vet

15.
Supplemental Treatments?
•Oral multi-vitamin/mineral
supplements such as *Red Cell©,
have been used by some
producers (different doses):
• Using less “symptomatically”
parasitized animals, with one dose
(30cc) at deworming, no differences
noted in control study at FVSU
*No endorsement of specific trade names is intended; check labels and work with vet
*Image: Susan Schoenian

16.
Supplemental Treatments?
•Vitamin K (for blood clotting),
Rx (work with vet)
•Other countries, especially
India, vets recommend “liver
tonics” before or with
deworming (choline, milk
thistle extract, others,
including vitamins/minerals)

17.
Veterinary Treatments
•Along with Rx supplemental
treatments (and i.v. for
dehydration) mentioned
•Blood transfusion (normal PCV:
27-45% sheep; 22-38% goat); can
have reactions but rare; usually
only do once
Image: www.researchgate.net/figure/Blood-
transfusion-in-a-goat-Fig-10-Blood-transfusion-
in-a-ram_fig4_322247304

18.
Deworming is not enough…
• Animal management, deworming
management and nutritional management
are important tools for managing parasites
in small ruminants
• Provide adequate nutrition and mineral
supplementation (i.e. loose minerals made
for your animal; vitamin/mineral packs
mixed into feedstuffs) based on your
farm/area needs to help fight worms/avoid
other nutritional issues
Image: Susan Schoenian