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By: Ashley Bolduc
Haemonchus contortus, also called "barber's pole worm" is the most common pathogenic gastrointestinal parasite in small ruminants. Specifically this nematode can be found attached to the abomasum in small ruminants. H. contortus can only be found in tropical or subtropical regions. The progression of this parasite can be identified as hyperacute, acute, and chronic.
Hyperacute: Death will occur within one week with no clinical signs.
Acute: Severe anemia with edema.
This type of edema will be called "bottle jaw"
Chronic: Low findings of parasites attached to abomasum but has significant weight loss.
Reservoir: Sheep and goats
Portal of Exit: In the environment, on the grass where an infected animal passes feces.
Mode of Transmission: Indirect
when an infected sheep or goat passes feces, containing larvae eggs, on pasture and the surroundings sheep and goats are grazing.
Portal of Entry: Through the grazing of the pasture. The adult larvae attached to the infected host's abomasum will release larvae eggs which will be passed in the feces.
Susceptible Host: Sheep, goats and recently camelids.
How can we control the transmission of the disease: Proper deworming but that depends heavily on the strain, life cycle stage, time of the year, and the weather conditions. Pasture up keep can also be important. Using the FAMACHA guide can help determine how anemic the animal has become by looking at the mucous membranes.
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