Fecal egg counting
Fecal egg counting is a method to determine the number of worm eggs excreted per gram of feces (EPG). Fecal egg counts (FECs) have many uses in parasite control programs. They can be used to estimate the parasite load in an animal, show changes in the seasonal levels of pasture infection, determine effectiveness of dewormers, and evaluate genetic differences in animals.
Where can I send samples to for fecal egg counting?
Members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control who have laboratories are offering affordable ($5-$6 per sample) fecal egg counting for the purpose of genetic improvement through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) or to determine fecal egg count reductions (to determine dewormer resistance). The results will be provided as numbers only with no interpretation or consultation. Learn more
Articles
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Modified McMaster Egg Counting Technique for Quantitation of Nematode Eggs; Ray M. Kaplan DVM Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; and James E. Miller DVM Ph.D., School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University.
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Modified McMasters Fecal Egg Counting Technique; by Heather Glennon, North Carolina State University [2013].
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Role of fecal egg counts in sheep/goat health. Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland [Timely Topic 2020] | PDF
--En Español-- -
The Value of Using FEC EBVs. Joan Burke, USDA-ARS [Timely Topic, October 2022]
Conference proceedings
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Fecal (Dung) Sampling. Gareth Bath and Jan van Rensburg; W4: What Works With Worms Congress, Pretoria, South Africa [May 2015].
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Fecal Egg Counts: Uses and Limitations; Bob Storey; W4: What Works With Worms Congress, Pretoria, South Africa [May 2015].
External links
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DIY Worm Egg Counting - New South Wales, Australia [2017]
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Evaluating methods for conducting faecal egg count reduction tests in sheep using McMaster technique, Mini-FLOTAC and pooled counts. Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. [March 2021]
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Using fecal egg counts in parasite management. Anne Zajac; Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine [2013].
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WormTest for livestock and guide to egg counts - New South Wales, Australia [2007]
Factsheets
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Fecal egg counting for sheep and goat producers. David Fernandez. Extension Livestock Specialist. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. [April 2012].
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How fecal egg counts can help you fight parasites. Dave Scott. NCAT-ATTRA [June 2018] | PDF
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Using fecal egg counts on your farm; Dahlia O'Brien Ph.D., Virginia State University [October 2019].
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What do fecal worm egg counts tell us?; William P. Shulaw, DVM, Extension Veterinarian, Ohio State University Extension, Veterinary Medicine [2011].
Research
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Comparison between methods for measuring fecal egg count and estimating genetic parameters for gastrointestinal parasite resistance traits in sheep. Mohammed N Boareki, Flavio S Schenkel, Olivia Willoughby, Aroa Suarez-Vega, Delma Kennedy, Angela Cánovas. Journal of Animal Science [November 2021].
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Comparison of fecal egg counting methods in four livestock species. Kelsey L Paras. Melissa M George, Anand N Vidyashankar, Ray M Kaplan. Veterinary Parasitology. [2018]
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Genetic Parameters for Fecal Egg Count and Body Weight in Katahdin Lambs. L. Ngere, J. M. Burke, D.R. Notter, J. Morgan, and J. E. Miller. Journal of Animal Science. [January 2017]
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How to improve the standardization and the diagnostic performance of the fecal egg count reduction test? Bruno Levecke, Ray M Kaplan, Stig M Thamsborg, Paul R Torgerson, Jozef Vercruysse, Robert J Dobson Veterinary Parasitology [2018]
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World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) guideline for diagnosing anthelmintic resistance using the faecal egg count reduction test in ruminants, horses and swine. R. Kaplan et al. Veterinary Parasitology [June 2023].
Videos
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Fecal egg counting primer. Weekly Worm Webinars. Dr. Dahlia O'Brien [April 2020].
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How and why to do sheep and goat fecal egg counting. Northeast Small Ruminant Parasite Control Program [February 2015].
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How to Collect a Fresh Fecal Sample from a Sheep/Goat. WORM-X Live! / Virginia State University [December 2021]
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How to take samples for a ruminant fecal egg count. NCAT-ATTRA [2018]
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Microscope crash course for fecal egg counting. Northeast Small Ruminant Parasite Control Program [February 2015].
Last updated 11.02.23. Links verified 11.02.23.