Be on the lookout for Barber’s pole

BARBER’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is the most important parasite to be aware of in sheep during the summer/autumn rainfall season.
It won’t be surprising if we see outbreaks of disease due to Barber’s pole worm with the warm, moist conditions that we experienced in February.
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) district Barber’s pole worms live in the abomasum (the fourth stomach) of sheep and the worm gets its name because wound around the gut is the white ovary, packed with hundreds of eggs, and the gut of the worm is red, as it is full of blood.
“This red and white spiral effect gives the worm its name as it looks like the classic barber’s pole,” Dr leading rapidly to a heavy pasture contamination.
“During warm, moist conditions these eggs hatch into larvae and are eaten by sheep during grazing.
“Like other internal parasites, Barber’s pole worms mainly affect weaners and lactating ewes. Barber’s pole worms feed by sucking blood, leading to anaemia and ‘bottle jaw’ but not necessarily weight loss or diarrhoea.”
Just 1,000 adult Barber’s pole worms can remove Barber’s pole worm outbreaks can lead to high mortalities in a short space of time.
The best way to be sure worm control programs are working is to conduct faecal egg counts.
As with other internal parasites, drench resistance to Barber’s pole worm is becoming increasingly common.
For more information, contact your local veterinarian or DEDJTR Veterinary or animal health