A Guide to FAMACHA Scoring and Proper Deworming Protocols for Small Ruminants

What is refugia?

• Our focus in small ruminant parasite control is preventing the proliferation of resistant parasites.

• Small ruminants in particular are extremely susceptible to developing a resistant parasite load, especially if we are deworming them too often with the same products.

• We can limit the replication and spreading of resistant parasites by promoting the development of refugia. Refugia

  • Refugia refers to a population of parasites that are susceptible to our dewormers.

  • If we consistently deworm all of the animals in the herd with the same drug or only a single drug each time, we will effectively kill off all the parasites that are susceptible to the wormers. The problem is, all of the parasites that are resistant to the wormers are then left to thrive and replicate.

  • By limiting who we are deworming, how often, and using more than one product at a time, we are maintaining a population of parasites that are susceptible to dewormers.

  • It may seem weird to say that we do not want to deworm everyone in the herd. But the fact of the matter is, we should only be using dewormers on the animals that are clinically affected (pale, weak, skinny) by their parasite load. This is how we not only save money on treatment cost but protect the efficacy of our drugs for future use.

  • We decide who needs dewormed by assessing each animal’s FAMACHA Score.

How do I check each animal’s FAMACHA Score?

• A FAMACHA score assesses if the parasite load the animal has is making them anemic or low on blood.

• Cover the eye by rolling the upper eyelid down over the eyeball.

• Push the eyeball back towards their skull. You should see the eyelashes of the upper eyelid curl over your thumb.

• Pull the lower eyelid down.

• Pop! The mucous membrane will pop into view.

• Match the color that you see to category 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Who needs dewormed?

• Category 4 and 5 should always be dewormed.

• Category 3: Consider deworming

  • if >10% of the herd scores a 4 or 5

  • the animal has a poor body condition score (skinny).

  • It is a kid or lamb.

  • It is pregnant or lactating.

• Category 1 and 2: No deworming is needed.

• Other signs of heavy parasite burden that would indicate that deworming is needed:

  • Poor Body Condition Score (Skinny)

  • Diarrhea

  • Bottle Jaw

What products do I use?

• Always use oral dewormers. Do not use injectable or topical cattle dewormers.

  • Administer the product deep into the oral cavity with the recommended dosing gun. Give the dose slow and steady.

• Withhold feed for 12-24 hours prior to treatment.

• There are 3 main classes of dewormers. When deworming, use two products from different classes.

  • Benzimidazole (White Wormer) Class: Valbazen, Panacur, Safe-Guard, Althelcide, and Synanthic.

    • Do not give Valbazen (Albendazole) within the first 30 days of pregnancy.

  • Imidothiazole Class: Tramisol, Prohibit, Rumantel, Positive Pellet Goat Dewormer.

  • Macrocyclic Lactones: Ivomec, Eprinex, Dectomax.

How much dewormer do I give?

• Goats:

  • Valbazen (albendazole): Give 2mL per 25 lbs orally. Do not use in the first 45 days of pregnancy or 45 days after the removal of a buck.

  • Safe-Guard (fenbendazole): Give 1.1mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Ivomec (Ivermectin) Sheep Drench: Give 6mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Prohibit/LevaMed (levamisole): Give 2.7mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Cydectin (moxidectin) Sheep Drench: Give 2.5mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Rumantel (morantel): Feed 45 grams per 100 lbs of body weight.

• Sheep:

  • Valbazen (albendazole): Give 0.75mL per 25 lbs orally. Do not use in the first 45 days of pregnancy or 45 days after the removal of rams.

  • Ivomec (Ivermectin) Sheep Drench: Give 2.9mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Prohibit/LevaMed (levamisole): Give 2mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Cydectin (moxidectin) Sheep Drench: Give 2.3mL per 25 lbs orally.

• Camelids

  • Valbazen (albendazole): Give 2mL per 25 lbs orally. Do not use in the first 45 days of pregnancy or 45 days after the removal of a buck.

  • Safe-Guard (fenbendazole): Give 2.3mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Ivomec (Ivermectin) Sheep Drench: Give 6mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Prohibit/LevaMed (levamisole): Give 2.7mL per 25 lbs orally.

  • Cydectin (moxidectin) Sheep Drench: Give 4.5mL per 25 lbs orally.

How often should I check FAMACHA scores or consider deworming?

• If <10% of the herd/flock scores in category 4 or 5:

  • Recheck every 2 weeks during the grazing season.

  • During the spring and fall, when temperatures are cooler and the barber pole worm may be less active, the interval can be extended to 3-4 weeks.

  • During the winter, the interval may be further extended, but keep in mind that ewes/does may develop problems when lambing/kidding and require being checked more often.

• If >10% of the flock/herd scores in categories 4 or 5:

  • Recheck weekly.

  • Treat all category 3’s.

  • Rotate pastures if possible.

• Record all FAMACHA scores and treatments. Consider culling animals that require frequent treatments as they may be carrying a resistant parasite load.

• Click the document below to download a copy of this handout

• Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to order dewormers. We can have any dewormers drop shipped directly to your house in 1-2 business days.

What the FAMACHA.pdf

Download PDF • 910KB

References:

All doses and information from the Small Ruminant Parasite Consortium

ACSRPC: Famacha. wormx. (n.d.). https://www.wormx.info/famacha