162 Worms In Sheep 



SHEEP DEPARTMENT 



WORMS IN SHEEP 



Stomach worms (strongylus contortus), pin worms and tape worms 

 are the worms more often infecting sheep. Any one or all may be found 

 in a sheep that has just died but of all of these, the stomach worm liv- 

 ing in the fourth stomach is the greatest enemy of the sheep raiser, and 

 is nearly always the worm responsible for the loss when the loss is due 

 to worms. 



When a farm becomes infected with worms it is hard to eradicate 

 them, hence great care must be exercised in the purchase of new sheep 

 for a flock. If all sheep were sold off^ of an infected farm and no more 

 wormy sheep brought on an infected farm, it would be from one to two 

 years before the farm would be free from worms. On high, well-drained 

 farms, with no wet valleys or still water, and under the most favorable 

 weather and temperature conditions a farm might be freed of worms in 

 less than two years. The farm might become worm free in one year if 

 all infected sheep were sold and no new ones brought on the farm. But 

 if there are stagnant pools and swampy valleys or it is a wet year it 

 would require much more than a year. Not that I would recommend 

 the sale of all sheep in all cases, but such uncontrollable conditions are 

 favorable or unfavorable to worm development. Frequent change of 

 pasture aids in lessening worm losses. 



SYMPTOMS 



The lambs and more delicate sheep are usually the first ones at- 

 tacked. The lambs do not grow well although they may eat more than 

 normal. The lambs continually grow weaker and may develop a diarr- 

 hoea. The skin has a paper like texture, the legs, belly and chin may 

 swell up in the morning and be normal later in the day. The disease 

 may take on the form of an epidemic and one or more die every day. 

 In any case, it is wise to open one immediately after it is dead and try 

 to locate the worms. If stomach worms are suspected cut opten the fourth 



