LIVESTOCK FECAL EXAMINATION FOR PARASITE EGGS
by
Joe
Tritschler and
Brad
LeaMaster
Department of Animal Sciences
Livestock Extension Team
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
In order to have a meaningful fecal examination, the feces needs to be
relatively fresh and identified as to the animal from which the sample was
collected. The optimum way of doing this is to collect each sample from the
animal's rectum into a labelled plastic bag. Fresh samples can be preserved
under refrigeration for several days.
Laboratory needs
- Microscope
- Slides and coverslips
- Small flat top tubes or cylinders
- Strainer or cheesecloth
- Eye dropper
- Flotation solution (saturated sugar/water)
Fecal flotation
The flotation method is based on the differential specific gravity of
parasite eggs/oocysts and fecal debris. Eggs and oocysts float in saturated
sugar or salt solutions, while most debris settles. This method will not
detect fluke eggs or all nematode larvae (lung worm). These require more
exact flotation solutions and procedures which can be learned from parasite
laboratory manuals.
Procedure
1. One to three grams of feces is thoroughly mixed with flotation solution
(saturated sugar/water) and strained into a tube. One gram is a sphere about
the size of a penny (two fecal pellets). The quantity of flotation solution
depends on the size of the tubes; mix with slightly less than the tube
volume. Saturated sugar is prepared by dissolving a pound of sugar in 12oz
(1 1/2 cups) of water, and saturated salt takes a pound of salt in 38.5 oz
(4 4/5 cups) of water.
2. Fill the tube completely with flotation fluid, then place a coverslip (or
slide) across the top of the tube. The fluid should be brought up so that
it is in contact with the coverslip. This transfers the eggs and oocysts to
the coverslip.
3. The tube is left standing for 15 minutes or longer. Then the cover slip
is removed by lifting it straight up and placing it on a slide. The slide is
examined under the microscope (40X-100 magnification) for eggs and
oocysts.
Parasites
Using this method you should be able to see nematode eggs, coccidia oocysts,
and some tapeworm eggs. The procedure will give you a good estimate of the
number of these per gram of feces, but don't count them all. We only want to
estimate the quantity in some cases. So let's discuss them in terms of type
of parasites which you can identify.
Nematode eggs are shed by a large number of nematodes, most of which cannot
be easily distinguished from each other in a fecal examination. This whole
group is commonly referred to as strongyle eggs and worming recommendations
can be based on the quantity of strongyle eggs. Since fecal counts only
estimate the parasite load, there is no clear cut level at which worming is
indicated. As a general guide, a level of about 500 eggs per gram of feces
would indicate that worming is needed for sheep or goats, or about 500 eggs
per gram of feces for cattle. A more effective way of deciding when to treat
would be to monitor fecals every 4-8 weeks and worm when there is a
dramatic rise in egg counts. This would indicate increased pasture
infectivity, so moving animals to another pasture would also be
indicated.
Nematodes are picked up by animals grazing pasture, and the parasite burden
is related to the pasture infectivity. However, at the beginning of a dry
season (or cold season at high altitude), larvae that are picked up from
pasture can delay development. These inhibited larvae can be a serious
problem, when they begin redeveloping, and there will be no high fecal egg
counts to indicate this problem. Therefore, particularly if pasture
infectivity has been high, young livestock should be wormed after the end of
the wet season. Be sure to use an anthelmintic that is effective against
inhibited larvae. The extent of this inhibition is unknown in Hawai`i.
There are a couple of nematode eggs which can be distinguished from the
large group of strongyles. These include Nematodirus sp., Trichuris sp.,
Strongyloides sp. and Ascarides. Nematodirus eggs are distinctly larger than
strongyle eggs. Nematodirus can be a problem at the beginning of the
grazing season in young lambs, kids and calves. Although Nematodims sp. is
not very common in Hawai`i, where it exists even low levels of Nematodirus
eggs per gram of feces would indicate that worming is needed. Strongyloides
eggs are slightly smaller than strongyle eggs, and the larvae are distinctly
visible within the egg. Trichuris eggs have distinct bipolar caps. While
Strongyloides sp. and Trichuris sp. exist in most animals, they are only of
concern in swine and possibly young livestock. Strongyloides sp. is only a
common problem in suckling pigs. Ascarides are of concern in swine (Ascaris
sp.) and horses (Parascaris sp.). Ascaris sp. and Trichuris sp. are a
particular problem in pigs because they can survive for such long periods of
time (years) in the environment. Young pigs (up to six months) are most
susceptible. White liver spot from pork carcass data may also indicate
Ascaris infection in the herd. Parascaris sp. in horses is only a problem in
young foals. Trichuris sp. and Ascarides should be treated in young pigs
and foals based on even low fecal egg counts.
Nematode larvae, when present in the feces, are indicative of lungworm.
There isn't any need to count lungworm larvae in the fecal examination.
Generally, a serious respiratory problem suggests that lungworm may be
present. The fecal examination simply tells one whether the respiratory
problem is due to lungworm. It is possible to do fecals without finding the
lungworms. However, lungworms will migrate from feces in a water solution
(put mixture on screen or cheesecloth in a gravity funnel, collect small
amount of liquid from bottom after several hours). To confirm a serious
lungworm problem, worms will actually be coughed up 30-60 minutes after
worming.
Fluke eggs can be detected in feces, but a more accurate method is needed.
However, since livers are condemned for flukes, a good method to initially
check for flukes is to see if your livestock had any fluke condemned livers
at slaughter. Flukes are a problem in the wet areas of Hawai`i, particularly
standing water, such as swamp or marsh. The primary control for flukes is
to fence livestock away from these wet areas.
Tapeworm (Moniezia sp.) eggs may be seen in fecal examination but they are
in no way indicative of the level of infection. Since tapeworm segments are
visible in the feces, one can estimate the level of herd infection by
looking at fecal pads or droppings. It is debatable whether tapeworms cause
serious problems, so only very high levels of infection should be treated.
Also, if one uses an anthelmintic that is less than 100% effective, it's
control level may be sufficient for tapeworm control. This would most likely
occur in heavily used pastures and paddocks.
Coccidia oocysts are passed in the feces of most livestock. They are
particularly a problem in young animals when raised in confinement or dense
groups. Levels will generally decline as animals are spread out on pasture,
and older animals develop immunity. Oocysts are only a moderate indicator of
level of infection, because coccidia can multiply asexually in the
intestine, which won't increase oocyst production. Oocysts appear very
small, about a tenth the size of a Strongyle egg. To estimate the quantity
of oocysts in a fecal examination, try to obtain an impression of the
density per microscopic field. This can range from almost no oocysts to
having a field full of oocysts. A medium to full field average would
indicate that coccidia treatment should be given, particularly in young
animals.
Summary
This will hopefully give you a general idea as to how to use fecal
examination as an aid to determine parasitic disease loads. The accompanying
photos, courtesy of Dr. J. R. Georgi, should aid you in identifying most
common parasite eggs. Remember, it is only an aid. One must use
environmental and animal observation as well. It takes practice; when to
treat is not clear cut. All animals have low levels of parasites. Sometimes
high levels of parasites don't show up in the fecal examination. One way to
help even-out the extremes is to examine 10-20 head or 25 percent of each
grazing unit. Groups of your herd that are grazed on different pastures must
be considered separately. Use the average as an indication of the whole
group. If the average is okay, but a few animals are extreme, this might
also indicate that a problem is just developing.
Remember, there are different treatments for various parasites. In some
cases change of environment may work by itself. When worming medications are
used, be sure to use one that is effective against the parasite(s) for
which you are treating. It often doesn't pay to treat for everything, when
you only need to treat for a couple specific parasites.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of
May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Cooperative Extension Service, College of Tropical Agriculture
and Human Resources, University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai`i
96822. An Equal Opportunity Employer providing programs and services to
citizens of Hawai`i without regard to race, color, national origin, or
sex.
Disclaimer. Trade names are included for the benefit of the reader
and do not imply endorsement by the University of Hawai`i.
Copyright © 1996,1997,1998 - Department of Animal Sciences,
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Web Page Design by Tembra Way
HTML last updated December 31, 1998
URL - http://www.hawaii.edu/ansc/Proceed/Hhl/peggs.htm
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