Parasite Forecast

This is taken from the NADIS site http://www.nadis.org.uk and this is worth reading for a fuller picture. A quick summary:

Nematodirus

An early warm spring should mean a low risk this year. However, it was a dry April, so this might increase the risk a little. Lambs up to 3 months old grazing last years lamb pastures are most at risk and fortunately the best treatment is a white drench. Cocci and Nematodirus occurring together can be a big problem so it is worth keeping an eye on things. As ever, the lamb faeces can be a good guide. If you are concerned about Nematodirus then a samples from the older lambs might be useful. This may show if it is present. The further north your far is the greater the potential risk as temperatures will have been lower for longer.

Fluke

A bad autumn and winter for fluke last year means plenty of infected animals ready to spread eggs onto the pasture. The dry weather helps, but if you haven’t already treated adult sheep and cattle, do it now. Any product will do, but you don’t need to use fasinex as it is only the adult fluke we need to kill. Trodax is one good one for example, but do speak to your vet for more information.