Parasite Mitigation HespeGarden Style

I am not a veterinarian nor licensed in any way to dictate care, however, while working with these animals, partnering with my vet and always reading about the current practices, I feel comfortable imparting my two cents on what has and has not work for me at HespeGarden. 

My largest obstacle has been meningeal worm which will be the topic of this posting.  These worms are incredible critters spread by white tail deer, hosted by snails, and if you have wet areas on your property....you've got them. :-(

To better understand the life-cycle of this critter and it's affects on camelids, you must read:

P. tenuis – The White-tailed Deer Parasite by M. Kopcha, D.V.M., M.S., J. S. Rook, D.V.M. & D. Hostetler, D.V.M of MSU Extension & Ag. Experiment Station, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Prevention is definitely the answer,

but not always successful.

At HespeGarden, I ask my neighbors during hunting season to reduce my deer population and poultry to assist with eliminating the host.  Ducks & geese are very proficient snail hunters!  In addition, each animal receives sc injections of dectomax during nonfreezing months every 28 to 32 days.  

Even with the best of intentions, Mother Nature may have other plans.  This spring/summer was very wet resulting in an overabundance of snails.  Regretfully the injections & poultry alone did not slow down the worms this year.  As a result, I've been feverishly researching other ways to prevent future infestation.   

There is excellent data on food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) which I now supplement the herds year round daily food rations while also allowing them & my poultry free access. This practice does not replace the maintenance controls mentioned above, but is one more level of protection for the Operation Liberation Herd.

DE Factoids    

• Diatomaceous earth (DE) is the remains of microscopic one-celled plants (phytoplankton) called diatoms that lived in the oceans and lakes that once covered the western part of the US and other parts of the world. These deposits are mined from underwater beds or from ancient dried lake bottoms thousands of years old.
• Diatoms (DE) are the grass of the oceans and lakes. Just as grass is the staple food of earth animals. Diatoms (algae) are the food of the ocean or fresh water grazers. Magnified 7000x, diatomaceous earth looks like spiny honeycombs.
• Food grade diatomaceous earth makes a very effective natural insecticide. The insecticidal quality of diatomaceous earth is due to the razor sharp edges of the diatom remains. When diatomaceous earth comes in contact with the insects, the sharp edges lacerate the bugs waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery diatomaceous earth absorbs the body fluids causing death from dehydration.
• Food grade diatomaceous earth is EPA approved to be mixed with grains to control mealworms and other pests and has been exempted from tolerance requirements as an inert, inactive ingredient in chemical pesticides.
• Diatomaceous earth is EPA approved against indoor and outdoor crawling insects. Diatomaceous earth is USDA approved as an anti-caking agent for animal feed.
• Diatomaceous earth is FDA approved for internal and external use and has a rating of Food Chemical Codex Grade.
• To be most effective, food grade diatomaceous earth must be fed long enough to catch all newly hatching eggs or cycling of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach. A minimum of 60 days is suggested by many, 90 days is advised for lungworms.
• Food grade diatomaceous earth works in a purely physical/mechanical manner, not "chemical" and thus has no chemical toxicity.
• Best yet, parasites don’t build up a tolerance/immunity to its chemical reaction, so rotation of wormers is unnecessary.

When Meningeal Presents 

When all else has failed and a camelid presents signs of meningeal, IMMEDIATE treatment is necessary.  I prescribe to the two prong approach of injectable dectomax & doramectin and it has worked well on my animals.  But CHECK WITH YOUR VET if you suspect your animal suffers from meningeal. 

I also recommend reading:   

Parelaphostrongylus Tenuis (Meningeal Worm)  By David E Anderson, DVM, MS, Associate Professor From the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University