The dynamics of ovine gastrointestinal nematode infections within ewe and lamb cohorts on three Scottish sheep farms

Hamer, Kim; McIntyre, Jennifer; Morrison, Alison A.; Jennings, Amy; Kelly, Robert F.; Leeson, Sarah; Bartley, David J.; Chaudhry, Umer; Busin, Valentina; Sargison, Neil. 2019 The dynamics of ovine gastrointestinal nematode infections within ewe and lamb cohorts on three Scottish sheep farms. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 171, 104752. 10, pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104752

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104752

Abstract/Summary

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are a serious concern for sheep producers worldwide. However, there is a paucity of evidence describing the epidemiology of GIN on modern UK sheep farms. The aim of this paper was to understand whether expected seasonal variations of infection are still found in ewes and lambs under varying management strategies in temperate climates. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were conducted on freshly voided samples collected from groups of ewes and lambs every third week for twelve months on three farms in southeast Scotland. The patterns of egg output have been described here in relation to management practices undertaken on the farms. Despite changes in farming practice and climatic conditions, the findings complement historical studies detailing the epidemiology of GIN. Findings include a periparturient rise in ewe FEC on two of the farms, while lambing time treatment appeared to suppress this on the third farm. On the same two farms lamb FEC increased during the summer, reaching a peak in the autumn. The work also highlights how the ad hoc use of anthelmintics does little to impact these patterns.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104752
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0167-5877
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	sheep, gastrointestinal nematodes, parasitic gastroenteritis, FEC, periparturient rise
NORA Subject Terms:	Zoology Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	02 Sep 2019 10:55 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/524969

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104752

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0167-5877

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

sheep, gastrointestinal nematodes, parasitic gastroenteritis, FEC, periparturient rise