TEST modification PROTOCOL for Cattle USING The Eggzamin™ Small Ruminant and Camelid Kit

We have designed a modified testing protocol using our Small Ruminant and Camelid kit that can be applied to cattle feces in order to conduct fecal egg counts. This modified protocol will allow you to determine the level of infections in the absence of costly shipping costs and laboratory fees that are typically associated with parasite monitorization. This modified kit will allow you to:

➔ Quickly administer a dewormer to individual animals based on a treatment threshold (which will reduce/slow the progression of anthelmintic resistance on your operation)

➔ Test the effectiveness of your chosen dewormer. This can reduce costs to you, as well as maximize profits over time.

➔ Make important culling and breeding decisions based on parasite loads. 

This modification is indicated for calves under 2 years old and mature bulls. Mature female cattle over 2 years old generally do not carry high enough worm burdens for the McMaster Method to accurately detect. For mature female cattle, a direct fecal flotation is recommended to determine the accurate fecal egg count.

MODIFICATION USING THE SMALL RUMINANT KIT FOR CATTLE

The protocol when testing cattle is the same as that used for Small Ruminants, except the starting feces weight is 3 grams of feces.

With this modified protocol, each egg counted will be representative of 13 eggs. When you get the total number of eggs, you will need to calculate the eggs per one gram of feces.

For example, if you get a total count of 100 eggs in the McMaster slide, then the calculation will be:

(Side 1 + Side 2) X 13 = eggs per 3 grams feces

Example:

50 eggs X 13 = 650 eggs found in the slide

Then: Eggs found in slide / Starting Feces Weight = Eggs per Gram (EPG)

Example:

650 eggs / 3 grams of feces = 216. 6 EPG

Note: You always want to round up to the next whole number so the total number of eggs for this fecal sample is 217 EPG. 

Treatment Thresholds

Calves under 2 years old:

0-150 EPG = Low Count:  No Deworming Treatment Needed 

151-300 EPG = Medium Count:  Deworming Treatment can be withheld if animals appear healthy and have a good average daily gain

300+ EPG = High Count:  Deworming Treatment with a single dewormer needs to be applied


Bulls:

0-150 EPG = Low Count:  No Deworming Treatment Needed 

151+ EPG = High Count:  Deworming Treatment with a single dewormer needs to be applied

***Any time a Dewormer is given, a Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test should be conducted to ensure that the treatment was effective.