DIPSTICK TEST TO DETERMINE BARBERPOLE STOMACH WORMS

An Australian company has developed a "dipstick" test to determine Haemonchus contortus (barberpole worm) infection in goats. While not currently marketed in the United States (it may never be) , this test has generated interest among American goat raisers.

Producers must collect samples of fresh feces from various goats which are then pooled and diluted in a boiling step using the purchased kit. The premise of the test is that it detects blood in feces which is residual from blood-sucking stomach worms, not unlike bowel cancer screening tests in humans. The more blood, the more barberpole worm infection.

It doesn't appear to be useful for individual animals. This test determines if Haemonchus contortus infection is present in the herd and the producer must then decide whether to deworm all goats or not. It seems that FAMACHA visual testing of individual goats is much easier and certainly much cheaper. But my biggest concern is that there are other sources which can produce blood in fecal samples that have nothing to do with stomach worms.

Dr. James E. Miller, DVM and Interim Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at Lousiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge, Louisiana contributed to this article.

Suzanne W. Gasparotto, Onion Creek Ranch, Texas 8/17/12