Haemonchosis in Markhor Goats (Capra falconeri): Implications for Management

in a Zoological SettingSamuel Glickman

April 23rd 2014

Markhor Goats (Capra falconeri)

•Common name: Screw-horned goat

•Range includes India, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan

•Primarily live in mountainous terrain (altitudes of 600-3600 meters)

•Largest member of the goat family (weigh 32-110 kgs, stand 65-115 cm)

•Sexually dimorphic

Unexpected

3 year old FI Markhor goat found dead on exhibit by keepers

From herd of 5 adults and two kidsDays prior to discovery she appeared

lethargic with swelling on lower jaw and around eyes

Previous history of Eimeria and some strongyles: treated with levamisole and pyrantel

Submitted for necropsy

DifferentialsDegenerativeAnomalous, AutoimmuneMetabolicNeoplasia, NutritionalInfectious, InflammatoryToxin , TraumaticVascular

NecropsyDiffuse submucosal edema with abundant

intraluminal nematode parasitesAbdominal, thoracic and pericardial cavities:

moderate serous effusionsSubcutis: Diffuse moderate edema

Diagnosis: Severe haemonchosis with hypoproteinemia and anemia

Barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) •Clinical signs include: anemia, weakness hypoproteinemia (bottle jaw), emaciation and sudden death

•Parasite of goats, sheep, cervids, new world camelids

•Female can produce approximately 5,000 eggs per day

•Cycle of infection-pasture contamination-reinfection can make control difficult

Haemonchus contortus

DiagnosisBased on clinical signsGross lesions: presence of worms in the

abomasum, Fecal floatation – cannot distinguish from

other strongyle eggsLarval cultures (10 -14 days) Fluorescein staining of egg shells

FAMACHA•Selective treatment based on severity of affected animal

•Combat resistance by treating only affected animals (remove low level selective pressure)

•Combat resistance –•Quarantine new additions to the herd•Rotate anthelmintics•Multidrug protocols•Treat severely affected •Pasture management

TreatmentAntihelmintics: Levamisole – 7.5 mg/kgFenbendazole – 5 mg/kgIvermectin - 0.2 mg/kgMoxidectin – 0.2-0.4 mg/kgSupportive care

Continued monitoring of individual animals and the herd

Initial Treatment (Adults)Caught each adult in chuteExamined MM, collected blood for PCV and TSIndividual fecal samples collected for quantitative

egg analysisStarted on two day course of oral fenbendazole (10

mg/kg)

Adults recaptured 2 days later: BoSe (0.06 mg/kg) SQMoxidectin (0.4 mg/kg) SQCollected blood for CBC/Chem

Treatment (kids)Manual restraint of kids on same day as adultsMM examined and blood collected for CBC/ChemMM were paler than adult with regenerative

anemia (22%, 16% anisocytosis, polychromasia)Iron (10 mg/kg) IM Discussion about transfusion Major and minor crossmatch performed – no

agglutination or hemolysisDonor blood(mL) = 80 x BW(kg)x (Desired PCV-

Recipient PCV)/ (PCV of transfused blood)

TransfusionCollected 1 unit of blood (500 mL) in CPDA-1

bag Manual restraint – placed 16G jugular catheterAdminister blood via a filtration systemSerial weighing of bag to deliver desired

amount of blood (1.06 g/mL blood)Monitored respiratory and heart rateAdministered oral fenbendazole (10 mg/kg)Recheck PCV two days later (38%, 27%) and

SQ moxidectin (0.4 mg/kg)

ChallengesZoological settings – often mixed species

enclosuresLimited space Balance stress of capture and

diagnosis/treatment of disease Individual dosing and assessment

Control ProgramRemoval of animals from exhibit area Decontamination –removal of plant material

and fecesIndividual quantitative fecal egg counts If egg count >500 eggs/gram – fenbendazole

(10 mg/kg) for 2 days and one dose of moxidectin (0.4 mg/kg)

Once egg counts are reduced by 90% - return to exhibit

ReferencesGetachew, T., P. Dorchies, and P. Jacquiet. “Trends and

Challenges in the Effective and Sustainable Control of Haemonchus contortus Infection in Sheep. Review.” 2007. Parasite 14: 3-14.

Hoberg, E.P., A.A. Kocan, and L.G. Rickard. “Gastrointestinal Strongyles in Wild Ruminant” 2001. Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. Paper 623.

Kaplan, R.M. “Responding to the Emergence of Multiple-Dru g Resistant Haemonchus contortus: Smart Drenching and FAMACHA.” Proceedings of the Kentukcy Veterinary Medical Association 2005 Morehead Clinic Days Conference, June 4-5, 2005.

ReferencesNowak, R. “Walker’s Mammals of the World, 6th ed.” Baltimore:

John Hopkins University Press, 1999.

Van Wyk, J.A. and G.F. Bath. “The FAMACHA system for managing haemonchosis in sheep and goats by clinically identifying individual animals for treatment.” 2002. Vet Res. 33: 509-529.

Vokral, I, et al. “The Metabolism of flubendazole and the activities of selected biotransformation enzymes in Haemonchus contortus strains susceptible and resistant to anthelmintics.” 2012. Parasitology 139: 1309-1316.

Young, K.E., M.S. James, J.M. Jensen, and T.M. Craig. “Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity in Captive Wild Ruminants by Fecal Egg Reduction Tests and a Larval Development Assay. ” 2000. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 31(3): 348-352.

ThanksDr. KolliasDr. CushingDr. Abou-MadiDr. Mary SmithStaff of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Questions?