We are starting to see cases of Barber’s Pole worm in ewes, including several cases close to town (Hastings).
The recent warm weather combined with moisture has created ideal conditions for this parasite to thrive, and low pasture covers may be increasing the risk.
What to check for:
- Check the gums – affected sheep often have very pale gums due to blood loss caused by the worms.
- Look for bottle jaw – swelling under the jaw is a common sign.
- Post-mortem any dead ewes – examine the abomasum (the fourth or ‘true’ stomach) for wriggling worms approximately 2 cm long with distinctive red and white striping.
What to do next:
- Bring in a FEC (Faecal Egg Count) sample to check whether worm burdens are high.
- We can also use the GIN PCR test to identify which worm species are present.
Before you drench:
Please have a chat with your vet about the best drench option for your flock. Moxidectin is not generally the drench of choice for ewes due to resistance concerns, so it is important to seek advice before treating.
If you have concerns or would like testing arranged, get in touch with your veterinary team.
Anyika Scotland | Production Animal Veterinarian
