Discussion:
This experiment aimed to quantitatively estimate the number of worm eggs passed in the faeces of the school’s sheep.
Barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is the most potentially harmful roundworm parasites in Queensland’s sheep production industry (refer to Q1 of Report Journal). It is classed as an endo-parasite as it lives inside the stomach of its host, feeding off the animal’s blood and depriving it of essential nutrients.
Symptoms of barber’s pole worm in sheep include; death, bottle jaw, anaemia (blood loss), lethargy/collapse, and diarrhoea (refer to Q4 of Report Journal for more information).
The only way to accurately diagnose the level of worm infestation before the parasite begins to affect the productivity of …show more content…
This may have been due to the seasonal conditions in which the sample was collected.
Barber’s pole worms are most active during the summer months when rainfall is common as they thrive in warm, moist environments. These parasites can withstand temperatures ranging from 18˚ C to 35˚C; however the ideal temperature is around 29˚C (refer to Image 4 of report journal). Similar conditions were evident when the faecal collection was performed. The school’s sheep had also not been drenched recently before the sample was taken.
Prior to the trial, the veterinary WEC report indicated that the sheep with the ear-tag ‘R2’ had a dangerously high EPG value (refer to Table 1). It was expected that the experimental results would also signify a high burden of worms for this sheep. Although the results did suggest a serious worm problem, they were significantly lower than those of the veterinary WEC (with a difference of 4505 EPG) (refer to Figure 5).This suggests that the school’s experimental procedure or EPG calculations may have been different compared to the vet’s. The faecal analysis equipment/technology used by the vet may have also been more advanced or their counting method may have been more professional – leaving less room for
This experiment aimed to quantitatively estimate the number of worm eggs passed in the faeces of the school’s sheep.
Barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is the most potentially harmful roundworm parasites in Queensland’s sheep production industry (refer to Q1 of Report Journal). It is classed as an endo-parasite as it lives inside the stomach of its host, feeding off the animal’s blood and depriving it of essential nutrients.
Symptoms of barber’s pole worm in sheep include; death, bottle jaw, anaemia (blood loss), lethargy/collapse, and diarrhoea (refer to Q4 of Report Journal for more information).
The only way to accurately diagnose the level of worm infestation before the parasite begins to affect the productivity of …show more content…
This may have been due to the seasonal conditions in which the sample was collected.
Barber’s pole worms are most active during the summer months when rainfall is common as they thrive in warm, moist environments. These parasites can withstand temperatures ranging from 18˚ C to 35˚C; however the ideal temperature is around 29˚C (refer to Image 4 of report journal). Similar conditions were evident when the faecal collection was performed. The school’s sheep had also not been drenched recently before the sample was taken.
Prior to the trial, the veterinary WEC report indicated that the sheep with the ear-tag ‘R2’ had a dangerously high EPG value (refer to Table 1). It was expected that the experimental results would also signify a high burden of worms for this sheep. Although the results did suggest a serious worm problem, they were significantly lower than those of the veterinary WEC (with a difference of 4505 EPG) (refer to Figure 5).This suggests that the school’s experimental procedure or EPG calculations may have been different compared to the vet’s. The faecal analysis equipment/technology used by the vet may have also been more advanced or their counting method may have been more professional – leaving less room for