CONTROL PROGRAMS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES IN SHEEP AND GOATS

The most serious problem affecting sheep and goat production worldwide is infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. Financial losses relate d to these parasites are caused by decreased production, costs far tre atment and prophylaxis, and animal death. From 1993 through 1997, clin icians at the Auburn University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital e xamined 2260 sheep and 4957 goats. The primary diagnosis of gastrointe stinal nematode parasitism was made in 38% of the sheep and 52.4% of t he goats. After a thorough history of the previous parasite program is attained and its level of effectiveness is determined, a new program can be implemented. Strategic deworming programs apparently produce th e best results. Several classes of anthelmintics are considered this c olumn. Parasite management in small ruminants is a difficult task, and a single program is usually not effective.