Lack of worming in farm dogs leads to millions lost in sheep industry
Canid tapeworms are causing huge condemnations in sheep.
MULTI-million pound losses in the sheep industry are being attributed to incorrect worming procedures in farm dogs, EBLEX has claimed.
Concerns have been flagged from within the meat processing sector, which has seen increased numbers of sheep carcases infected with canine parasites. EBLEX reported that in 2012, almost £5 million was lost to the industry due to sheep measles (Cysticercus ovis), which was found in 66,500 sheep, while more than £1 million was lost as 742,000 livers were rejected because of bladder worms (Cysticercus tenuicollis).
Canine tapeworms are thought to be causing the majority of problems. C ovis is the intermediate larval stage of the canid tapeworm, Taenia ovis, which causes cysts to develop in target tissues – known as sheep measles.
The disease results from an adult canine tapeworm infection (T ovis) and is spread when infected dogs shed eggs via their faeces on to pasture. Within weeks of sheep ingesting eggs, they start to develop infective cysts, typically found in the heart, and potentially in the diaphragm and cheek muscles in more pronounced cases. Infection cannot be identified before slaughter but often results in rejection of the entire carcase.
Bladder worms (Cysticercus tenuicolis) originate from another canine tapeworm (T hydatigena). Eggs hatch in the intestine of the sheep before spreading to tissues surrounding the abdominal organs and liver.
In addition to liver rejection in infected carcases, infrequent moderate to heavy T hydatigena infections may lead to longer finishing periods, increased feed costs and loss of value due to sheep not reaching target specification.
EBLEX is urging farmers to ensure their dogs are wormed with the correct dose and with a product specific to killing tapeworms to cut down the spread of the parasite eggs in dogs' faeces. It also advises dogs are prevented from scavenging carcases and are not fed raw meat. Deadstock should be removed promptly.
They should also ensure dogs visiting farm premises are wormed correctly or prevented from accessing sheep grazing areas.
Phil Hadley, EBLEX southern senior regional manager, said: “The processing sector is becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of dog parasites on carcases and offals and the figures speak for themselves.
“However, the potential financial impact of sheep measles and bladder worms is not exclusive to processors. Producers can also succumb to its effects with the potential loss in livestock values by not reaching target specification. As such, correct and routine worming procedures are imperative in helping the sector combat the financial and health impact of parasite infections.”
Siân Mitchell, AHVLA veterinary parasitologist, said: “Although there are many
products for worming dogs, not all contain chemicals active against cestodes. Only praziquantel is effective against these tapeworms as well as T multiceps, the cause of ‘gid’ and Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid disease), a zoonotic parasite.
www.eblex.org.uk/returns/health-and-fertility
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
