Samuel Glickman April 23rd 2014 Haemonchosis in Markhor Goats (Capra falconeri): Implications for Management in a Zoological Setting Samuel Glickman April 23rd 2014

Markhor Goats (Capra falconeri) Common name: Screw-horned goat Range includes India, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan Primarily live in mountainous terrain (altitudes of 600-3600 meters) Largest member of the goat family (weigh 32-110 kgs, stand 65-115 cm) Sexually dimorphic

Unexpected 3 year old FI Markhor goat found dead on exhibit by keepers From herd of 5 adults and two kids Days prior to discovery she appeared lethargic with swelling on lower jaw and around eyes Previous history of Eimeria and some strongyles: treated with levamisole and pyrantel Submitted for necropsy

Differentials Degenerative Anomalous, Autoimmune Metabolic Neoplasia, Nutritional Infectious, Inflammatory Toxin , Traumatic Vascular

Necropsy Diffuse submucosal edema with abundant intraluminal nematode parasites Abdominal, thoracic and pericardial cavities: moderate serous effusions Subcutis: Diffuse moderate edema Diagnosis: Severe haemonchosis with hypoproteinemia and anemia

Barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) Clinical signs include: anemia, weakness hypoproteinemia (bottle jaw), emaciation and sudden death Parasite of goats, sheep, cervids, new world camelids Female can produce approximately 5,000 eggs per day Cycle of infection-pasture contamination-reinfection can make control difficult

Haemonchus contortus

Diagnosis Based on clinical signs Gross lesions: presence of worms in the abomasum, Fecal floatation – cannot distinguish from other strongyle eggs Larval cultures (10 -14 days) Fluorescein staining of egg shells

FAMACHA Selective treatment based on severity of affected animal Combat resistance by treating only affected animals (remove low level selective pressure) Combat resistance – Quarantine new additions to the herd Rotate anthelmintics Multidrug protocols Treat severely affected Pasture management

Treatment Antihelmintics: Levamisole – 7.5 mg/kg Fenbendazole – 5 mg/kg Ivermectin - 0.2 mg/kg Moxidectin – 0.2-0.4 mg/kg Supportive care Continued monitoring of individual animals and the herd

Initial Treatment (Adults) Caught each adult in chute Examined MM, collected blood for PCV and TS Individual fecal samples collected for quantitative egg analysis Started on two day course of oral fenbendazole (10 mg/kg) Adults recaptured 2 days later: BoSe (0.06 mg/kg) SQ Moxidectin (0.4 mg/kg) SQ Collected blood for CBC/Chem

Treatment (kids) Manual restraint of kids on same day as adults MM examined and blood collected for CBC/Chem MM were paler than adult with regenerative anemia (22%, 16% anisocytosis, polychromasia) Iron (10 mg/kg) IM Discussion about transfusion Major and minor crossmatch performed – no agglutination or hemolysis Donor blood(mL) = 80 x BW(kg)x (Desired PCV-Recipient PCV)/ (PCV of transfused blood)

Transfusion Collected 1 unit of blood (500 mL) in CPDA-1 bag Manual restraint – placed 16G jugular catheter Administer blood via a filtration system Serial weighing of bag to deliver desired amount of blood (1.06 g/mL blood) Monitored respiratory and heart rate Administered oral fenbendazole (10 mg/kg) Recheck PCV two days later (38%, 27%) and SQ moxidectin (0.4 mg/kg)

Challenges Zoological settings – often mixed species enclosures Limited space Balance stress of capture and diagnosis/treatment of disease Individual dosing and assessment

Control Program Removal of animals from exhibit area Decontamination –removal of plant material and feces Individual quantitative fecal egg counts If egg count >500 eggs/gram – fenbendazole (10 mg/kg) for 2 days and one dose of moxidectin (0.4 mg/kg) Once egg counts are reduced by 90% - return to exhibit

References Getachew, T., P. Dorchies, and P. Jacquiet. “Trends and Challenges in the Effective and Sustainable Control of Haemonchus contortus Infection in Sheep. Review.” 2007. Parasite 14: 3-14. Hoberg, E.P., A.A. Kocan, and L.G. Rickard. “Gastrointestinal Strongyles in Wild Ruminant” 2001. Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. Paper 623. Kaplan, R.M. “Responding to the Emergence of Multiple-Dru g Resistant Haemonchus contortus: Smart Drenching and FAMACHA.” Proceedings of the Kentukcy Veterinary Medical Association 2005 Morehead Clinic Days Conference, June 4-5, 2005.

References Nowak, R. “Walker’s Mammals of the World, 6th ed.” Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1999. Van Wyk, J.A. and G.F. Bath. “The FAMACHA system for managing haemonchosis in sheep and goats by clinically identifying individual animals for treatment.” 2002. Vet Res. 33: 509-529. Vokral, I, et al. “The Metabolism of flubendazole and the activities of selected biotransformation enzymes in Haemonchus contortus strains susceptible and resistant to anthelmintics.” 2012. Parasitology 139: 1309-1316. Young, K.E., M.S. James, J.M. Jensen, and T.M. Craig. “Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity in Captive Wild Ruminants by Fecal Egg Reduction Tests and a Larval Development Assay. ” 2000. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 31(3): 348-352.

Thanks Dr. Kollias Dr. Cushing Dr. Abou-Madi Dr. Mary Smith Staff of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Questions?