Form

Sheep: worming treatment check

Vets can use this form to submit samples from sheep for a worming treatment check as part of an annual health and welfare review of livestock.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 28 October 2024

Documents

Small ruminant worm treatment check test form

PDF, 980 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Vets can use this form to submit samples from sheep for a Worming Treatment Check (WTC) as part of the Animal Health and Welfare (AHW) pathway.

Before you take samples

Request a WTC sampling kit by sending an email to carmarthen@apha.gov.uk. You will be sent 15 sample pots to collect pre-treatment faecal samples from a group of lambs.

To get the best result, only start the WTC test when there is an egg count high enough to indicate the need for treatment. Generally, the recommended period to do the WTC is between June and October.

Every farm or flock should be considered on an individual basis.

Taking samples

• Take samples from lambs that are less than 12 months old that have not had any anthelmintic treatment over the previous 4 weeks. As stipulated in the SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) advice, do not sample ewes.
• You must submit at least 10 samples from different lambs.
• Only take freshly deposited faeces (ideally still warm).
• Collect at least 5g of faeces or about 7 faecal pellets per individual lamb.
• Avoid collecting parts of the sample touching the soil directly as the soil may contain nematode eggs. Avoid collecting grass and stones as this can change the sample weight.
• Clearly label containers.
• Post samples the same day as collection to APHA VIC Carmarthen. If not sent immediately, store hygienically in a refrigerator or cool box.
• Ideally aim to collect samples at the beginning of the week. Do not post on a Friday.

Submitting samples

1. Send the pre-treatment samples to APHA Carmarthen with the WTC submission form.
2. The samples will be tested using the WTC test (TC1668).
3. If the pre-treatment test samples get a positive result, you will be sent another 15 sample pots to collect faecal samples post-treatment from the same lambs.
4. The timing of the next round of samples depends on the wormer that was used. If yellow (2-LV) wormer was used then collect post-treatment samples 7 days later. If other wormers (1-BZ, 3-ML, 4-AD, or 5-SI) were used, collect samples 14 days later.
5. Send the post-treatment samples to APHA Carmarthen with another WTC submission form. Include the submission number provided on the preliminary report.

Fees, test codes and turnaround times

You can find the cost for the Worm Treatment Check, England AHW Pathway (TC1668) on the APHA Surveillance price list.

Where to send samples

APHA Carmarthen Veterinary Investigation Centre
Job’s Well Road
Johnstown
Carmarthen
Carmarthenshire
SA31 3EZ

You must follow the rules for packaging and sending pathological material.

Get more information

You can find more information about the AHW pathway on SCOPS.

You can find more guidance on WTC at:

• SCOPS worming treatment check
• Sheep: testing required for an animal health and welfare review and endemic disease follow-up

Contact APHA

Contact your local Veterinary Investigation Centre if you have any questions or want to discuss this test.

Published 28 October 2024