Worming -- the heavy technical stuff!

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Dry Rot

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I have been looking for some rather more technical information on worms and worming than is usually supplied by vets and the sellers of wormers. I have just found this American study at the link below. It answers a lot of my questions (.e.g on the viability of worm larvae and eggs under various climatic conditions and what the likely effects of harrowing may be) but may be a bit heavy going for some people. If it is, most will still learn from it even if they skip the complicated stuff which is what I generally do!).

http://www.aaep.org/custdocs/ParasiteControlGuidelinesFinal.pdf
 
Thanks for that - it was indeed an interesting read with a little skipping. Would a 12 month old muck heap complete with little brandling worms be 'composted'? We have 2 muck heaps -one in use and the other maturing to be spread back on paddocks in winter when ground is frozen. Many years ago I asked my vet if the heat generated in a matured muck heap would be sufficient to kill worm eggs/lavae but he didn't really know.
 
Pen said:
Thanks for that - it was indeed an interesting read with a little skipping. Would a 12 month old muck heap complete with little brandling worms be 'composted'? We have 2 muck heaps -one in use and the other maturing to be spread back on paddocks in winter when ground is frozen. Many years ago I asked my vet if the heat generated in a matured muck heap would be sufficient to kill worm eggs/lavae but he didn't really know.
Click to expand...

Stick a thermometer in the muck heap and compare the readings with the temperature they state in the article that causes eggs to hatch? The larvae will only live a few days even in a favourable environment. That's why I like to research this stuff, then I know for sure!

I did First Year at vet college which was (back then) the year we did parasitology. I'm not sure how much they do after that, I suspect not much. When I asked one of my tame vets about hook worm in dogs, he looked it up in a book. Still good advice though. So that's probably what they all do :). They just don't tell us so appear super knowledgeable!

I suspect worm eggs are killed a lot easier than they let on. Note the comments about being careful with poo samples so as not to prompt hatching and spoiling the FECs. The Americans do seem to wonder why we make such a fuss about worms and worming and it is definitely not such an issue over there.

(Don't quote me, but I suspect your regime with the muck heap is about perfect. I think the article does recommend that somewhere but I need to go back and have another read).
 
Ah good idea re thermometer - will try that on a nice frosty day. Also good point re the preservation of samples.
Maybe Americans are more relaxed about worming as their horses are more likely than ours to graze larger acreages or be in dry lots.
 
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