Parasites and deworming practices in game enclosures

Background

Endoparasites are a major potential problem in farmed cervids, but can be difficult to control. The common deworming practice that seems to prevail in most farms is to feed pellets containing fenbendazole during parts of the vegetative season. These practices do not always appear to result in worm elimination, but this has no scientific basis and needs further investigation.

Project description

The study involves the collection of faecal samples from a number of game enclosures with subsequent analysis of the presence of worm eggs both by traditional parasitological methods as well as PCR examination and subsequent sequencing of larval cultures. Deworming practices will be documented using a web-based questionnaire.

The work will be carried out in collaboration with veterinarians at the National Veterinary Institute (SVA).

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