03/06/2026
The secret to small ruminant parasite control is hiding in their eyelids š
Last week, Small Ruminant Club learned how to use the FAMACHA system. This is used to detect anemia in small ruminants caused by the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). By comparing the color of the lower eyelid to a standardized chart, we can estimate how anemic an animal is and decide whether it ACTUALLY needs deworming.
Why not just deworm everybody? Parasite resistance is a huge issue in sheep and goats. Over-deworming contributes to this.
After a lecture, we got hands-on practicing FAMACHA scoring at the teaching barn š„¹ššš¦
Ps TODAY we have a lunch lecture on Small Ruminant Physical Exams.. see you there!