Sheep and Goat Herbal Deworming Research Project
Objective:
This project is designed to control internal parasites in sheep and goats using herbs compared to ivomec, a commercial dewormer and a control
Summary of Work:
We are currently collecting data from the feces of hair sheep (katahdin breed), wooled sheep (dorset breed) and boer meat goats (the fastest growing commodity in the nation). The ova are being counted under the microscope after processing to determine how many eggs (ova) were laid by adult nematodes. The hoemonchus contortus genus and specie are the main culprit in the summertime when it is hot and humid and causes the demise of sheep and goats with goats being more susceptable than sheep. Since these are blood-sucking parasites, the blood volume is lowered resulting in anemia in the animals and can result in death. As a result, we are also collecting packed cell volumes in these animals to determine the hematocrit and the status of the blood levels in all animals; i.e., 1) controls, 2) those treated with ivomec and 3) those treated with herbs. After our final collection we will then perform a statistical analysis of the data and publish our results for use by small animal producers.
For More Information, Contact:
Helen Swartz, Ph.D., Professor / State Specialist / Principal Investigator
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension
305 Allen Hall
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029
Voice: (573) 681-5551
Fax: (573) 681-5546
E-mail: Helen Swartz swartzh@lincolnu.edu
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