Parasite Control Program

Some basic information that can be learned by conducting FEC tests (see The Faecal Egg Count (FEC) Test) includes:

• Which horses generally have low FEC (require less worming) and which horses generally have high FEC (require more worming).
• Which mobs or herds of livestock have low FEC (may not require drenching) or have high FEC (may require drenching).
• What are the seasonal FEC trends and the longer term FEC trends in your animals.

The EggsAct kit also enables you to conduct a Faecal Egg Count Reduction (FECR) test. The results of a FECR test will allow you to determine which drugs are effective on your property and which drugs no longer work because of the development of anthelmintic resistance in the worms on your property.

Based on the results of your FEC and FECR test results, you will be able to develop an informed, effective and responsible parasite control program for your horses and farm animals (including sheep, cattle, goats and alpacas etc). A parasite control program that uses FEC/FECR test results is called an ‘evidence-based’ program because it is based on knowledge of the parasites on your property.

Based on your FEC test and FECR test results you will be able to:

1. 1. Establish your parasite control program, then monitor your program and make relevant adjustments as required
   2. As part of your parasite control program, select when and how often to worm / drench based on the needs of each particular herd / mob, or in the case of horses, each individual animal
   3. As part of your parasite control program, select the appropriate drugs to which worms on your farm and infecting your horses and livestock are susceptible

Egg counts may reduce over time as your parasite control program improves worm control, but increases may occur, associated with the development of resistance or changes in weather patterns.