Hunter Local Land Services District Vets are warning there have been several cases in the last two weeks of weaner cattle dying from anaemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by Haemonchus placei (Barber's Pole Worm).
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Signs of anaemia include pale mucous membranes (i.e. pale gums, conjunctiva and vagina), bottle jaw, and exercise intolerance (i.e. anaemic animals lag behind the mob, and spend a lot of time lying down).
Barber's Pole Worm is a blood sucking worm that lives in the fourth stomach of ruminants. Barber's Pole Worm has become the most significant cattle worm in our coastal districts. A related worm, Haemonchus contortus (also called BPW), causes many deaths from anaemia in sheep and goats in our region.
Conditions presently favour the build-up of infective Barber's Pole Worm larvae on pasture, and young cattle are particularly susceptible to developing large burdens of this parasite.
Cattle owners are advised to undertake a worm test to assess whether their young cattle are carrying significant worm burdens, and drench accordingly. Owners of young cattle are advised to at least check for signs of anaemia, and drench accordingly.
If anaemic animals are to be yarded for inspection or drenching, they need to be handled very quietly with minimal stress and exertion to avoid affected animals collapsing and dying.
Autumn and winter are key drench points for most producers. Worm control going into winter is regarded as particularly important to ensure that cattle, especially recently weaned cattle, do not have the added burden of parasites reducing production efficiency as a cause of ill thrift and death.
Those farmers buying batches of young cattle at saleyards are strongly advised to drench and vaccinate new arrivals as part of their Farm Biosecurity Plan.
In affected sheep they will have pale gums and conjunctiva. They may develop bottle jaws or lack stamina.
Often the sheep go from looking fat and healthy to dead very quickly with few symptoms. With all drenches - leave sheep in the yards for 24 hours after drenching, with access to water. This will help them to empty out the remaining worm eggs in their digestive tracts before being put out to clean pasture.
For more information please talk to your private vet or contact your Hunter Local Land Services District Vet on 1300 795 299.
