Last week, a farm family in West Fork found that their breeding buck's hind legs seemed paralyzed. Thinking the goat had been bitten by a snake, they called a vet to see if anything could be done to save him. However, with the diagnosis of meningeal worms, they now face the threat that their whole meat goat herd may be affected.
Meningeal worms are also known as "brain worms" or "deer worms." White-tailed deer serve as a host to the parasite Parelaphostrongulus tenuis. It passes through the deer's body without harming it while snails and slugs serve as an intermediate host. Goats, sheep, alpacas and llamas can ingest infected slugs or snails while browsing on damp pasture grasses or in wet areas like ponds or under dead leaves and decomposing woody debris. The parasite enters the spinal canal of the grazing animal and typically causes weakness in the hind legs first, although front legs can also be affected. Affected animals will continue to eat and drink normally but become unable to walk.
Because we've had such a wet year, producers should be watchful for signs of meningeal worm infection in their animals in pastures frequented by deer.
Commons symptoms are weakness or loss of control of hindquarters and intense scratching or licking along migratory tracks of the worms under the skin. Affected animals will continue to eat and drink normally, but will become unable to walk.
The keys to preventing worm problems on farms include discouraging deer, minimizing access to wet areas and keeping slug populations in check. Management options include fencing off pastures with 4-5 strand high tensile fences, using guard dogs, fencing off ponds and using geese and guinea fowl to aggressively eat slugs.
If you suspect meningeal worm problems, contact your veterinarian for help with the diagnosis and treatment of this emerging parasite problem.
KATI TEAGUE, COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE.
Business on 09/02/2015