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Summary of article at ACES Publications : BARBER POLE WORM INFESTATION IN GOATS : UNP-0078

Life Cycle

Goats are born without barber-pole worms; however, they become infested with the worm when they start grazing. The infecting larvae, are eaten by the goats during grazing. The larvae then burrow into the internal layer of the goat's abomasums (true stomach) where they develop into a pre*adult larvae. The larvae then molt into the adult form.

Adult male and female worms live in the abomasum of goats, where they feed on blood. The worms mate and produce eggs. Adult females deposit from 5,000 to 10,000 eggs per day, which are passed through goat feces to the pasture. Eggs are hatched either in soil or water. When the soil is warm and moist, eggs will hatch into first stage juveniles. The L1 larvae then develop through stages L2 and L3. Large numbers of juvenile parasite worm (L3) may accumulate on heavily grazed pastures.

Damage Caused by Barber Pole Worm

After a goat has ingested L3 larvae, the worm will burrow into the mucosal (internal layer) of the stomach, nourishing on the red blood cells of the goats, which can be life-threatening to the goat. An infected goat can bleed to death within hours.

Signs of the barber pole worm infestation in goats:

* Diarrhea
* Dehydration
* Unthrift appearance, rough hair coat, depresssed, low energy, lethargic, and uncoordinated
* Significantly reduced growth and reproductive performance
* Fluid accumulation in sub-mandibular tissues (bottle jaw), abdomen, thoracic cavity, and gut wall
* Blood loss, white mucous membranes, anemia/PCV

Controlling Barber Pole Worm

Scientists have been researching ways to manage this parasitic worm and minimize cost production in herds. Management practices must be based upon breaking or interrupting the life cycle of the worm by:

* Use of chemical anthelmintics commercially available
* mproved herd and pasture management practices
* Use of plants with anthelmintic properties