Farm Animal Worm Count Results
Your results sent via text or email are accompanied by a level. Please see the information below as a general guide to help interpret your result. If in doubt about your farm animal's treatment please contact us with your animal's age, health status and de-wormer history for more specific advice.
<50 EPG No eggs seen incl. no cocci ("clear")
No worm eggs or coccidia oocysts were detected during this test. No treatment is advised for healthy adult animals based on this result. If in doubt speak to our Farm Animal RAMA or your farm vet. Retest approx 12 weeks.
50- 150 EPG LOW
A low level of eggs were detected, below the usual threshold for treatment. You can possibly delay treatment for the animal/herd depending on age & health status, retesting in approx 12 weeks time.
200- 1100 EPG MEDIUM
The animal has a burden of parasite eggs that is considered to be above the recommended threshold for worming for this type of parasite. Worm the animal/herd with an appropriate product and retest approx 12 weeks time routinely.
1150 EPG + HIGH
The animal/herd has a significant burden of parasites and treatment is recommended. Ideally perform a post drench retest in 10-14 days post worming to check if further treatment is needed.
Check pasture management to see if risk of infection can be reduced.
Tapeworm eggs- Moniezia
Moniezia tapeworm eggs detected in farm animal worm counts do not come accompanied by a level as there is no defined cut off point where treatment is recommended. Further information regarding tapeworm can be found via SCOPS/COWS or by contacting us for qualified RAMA advice to determine whether you should treat this parasite type at this time
Eimeria- coccidia oocysts (OPG)
If present in a sample, coccidia oocysts are counted and the result shown on its own line. Not all samples will have coccidia oocysts so you may not get any reading for this type within your results report.
Coccidia has different cut off points for treatment. Discuss with your farm vet for a suitable treatment if needed.
< 5000 OPG LOW
Treatment not usually recommended
5000- 50000 OPG
MEDIUM
Treatment possibly required
> 50000 OPG
HIGH
Treatment required, consult your vet for correct product
Further Information
Farm Animal worm egg counts (FEC) detect the eggs of various adult, egg laying parasitic worms, depending on the species of animal being tested. Juvenile and inhibited stages of worms cannot be detected, which is why regular testing year round plus strategic risk assessing and parasite management is always recommended.
Young animals, especially very young lambs, have additional parasite control needs. While FEC can be useful to monitor burdens please use with caution and treat where necessary as the standard cut offs are only recommended for healthy adults. Consult the nematodirus forecasts in your area along with seasonal advice from SCOPS/COWS when creating your herd health plan.
We recommend regular testing to monitor your animal or herd/flock's worm burden. Approx 12 week intervals for testing throughout the year. Please follow a suitable parasite control programme and test regularly to detect any new growth of worms.
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A note regarding Camelids
Please note that while we accept camelid samples such as alpacas and llamas, the standard technique used in these tests is the modified mcmaster technique. Camelids may benefit from a more sensitive testing technique as the standard test may not pick up low levels of parasites affecting them, and these species can become ill from very low levels of infection. If in doubt please speak to us or contact your farm vet for more advice.
Need worming advice?
Do you need help choosing the best deworming treatment for your farm animal? Our Registered Animal Medicine Adviser (RAMA/SQP) is fully qualified to help with farm animal parasite treatments and can help with this. Just pop us an email at info@poopost.co.uk, send us a DM via our socials or fill in the contacts form on the website. Include your results code and your animal/herds last deworming dose/rough date of administration along with any health conditions or other important information (young/very old/resistance to chemical groups on your landetc) and our fully qualified team will get back to you within 1 working day.
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Please note we do not run a phone line and no longer run an SMS reply service for advice. Please use the methods above if you require assistance.