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Hookworms in goats & sheep

In small ruminants, the true hookworm shares the stage with the barber's pole worm — both are blood feeders, and both cause the anemia that defines worm disease in the flock.

The species involved

The true ruminant hookworm is Bunostomum trigonocephalum. The bigger day-to-day threat, though, is Haemonchus contortus — the barber's pole worm — a voracious blood-feeding stomach worm that causes anemia and "bottle jaw" (fluid swelling under the jaw).

How goats & sheep get infected

  • Grazing infective larvae off pasture
  • Larvae penetrating the skin (Bunostomum)
  • Heaviest in warm, wet, heavily-stocked pasture

Signs to watch for

Pale gums and inner eyelids, bottle jaw, weakness, weight loss and poor growth in lambs and kids. The FAMACHA eye-colour score is widely used to monitor anemia in the flock.

See the full symptom guide

Treatment & control

Fenbendazole and other broad-spectrum dewormers are used, but resistance is a serious issue in small ruminants — deworm strategically, guided by fecal egg counts and FAMACHA scoring rather than on a fixed calendar. Your vet can help build a resistance-smart program.

Confirm with your vet. Species, age and weight all change the right product and dose. Use this guide to understand the problem, then let your veterinarian tailor the plan.

The right dewormer for goats & sheep

Primacur's broad-spectrum fenbendazole suspension is formulated for dogs, cats, horses and livestock.

Shop Primacur dewormer at HorsePreRace
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