Mastering the Art of Sampling for Livestock!
Step 1 - Label Correctly
Proper labelling ensures your livestock get the correct results and treatment every time!
Label the bag with the following:
Your/Farm’s name
The date of collection
Your animals’ individual/flock/herds identification
Hint: It is easier to do this before collection, rather than after.
Step 2 - Collecting a Good Quality Sample!
Always collect samples from fresh, warm dung and from multiple points in the dung pile, as eggs are not always evenly distributed throughout the dung.
When collecting the sample, do not collect dung that is touching the ground, and avoid collecting foreign materials, such as dirt, grass, stones, etc.
Samples should be collected from the top and middle areas of the dung pile.
Use a clean spoon or fresh glove (when collecting by hand) for each individual (unless using the bag as a glove to collect the sample)
When sealing the bag, it is important to remove as much air as possible.
The sample should be cooled as soon as possible after collection; don't leave it to sit out.
Keeping samples cool until they reach the lab is one of the most crucial steps you can take in ensuring you get reliable results!
Additional guidance based on target livestock
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For individuals
Use a plastic tablespoon or glove to collect roughly 15 - 20 pellets in total from different locations close to the top and from the middle of the dung pile.
For routine flock testing
Please submit samples individually
Use a plastic tablespoon or glove to collect roughly 5 pellets worth of dung per dung pile from different locations within the pile.
This should be repeated for 10 individuals within a flock, at random.
All samples should be fresh, and no pile should be actively selected. If you are concerned about a particular individual rather submit an individual sample for them
Tips for collecting
A flock sample can be collected by gathering sheep into the corner of a field for a few minutes and then collecting the samples once they move away or you can collect samples while out herding, particularly if specific individuals are to be tested.
When looking to collect samples from lambs, this can often be achieved after they have been resting, particularly early in the morning as they get up, as they tend to produce a sample upon arising.
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For individuals
Use a plastic tablespoon or glove to collect 4 heaped tablespoons in total from different locations in the middle of the patty.
For routine herd testing
Please submit samples individually
Use a plastic tablespoon or glove to collect approximately 1 heaped tablespoon in total from different locations in the middle of the patty.
This should be repeated for 10 individuals within a herd, at random.
All samples should be fresh, and no pile should be actively selected. If you are concerned about a particular individual rather submit an individual sample for them
Preserving the quality of the sample is the best way to make sure you get the most reliable result!
Step 3 - Keeping the Sample Fresh!
Samples should be stored in a refrigerator or a cooler box with ice packs for short durations/transport.
Keep samples cool until they can be analysed.
When using a cooler box, it is important that samples are not placed directly on the ice packs, as this may destroy the parasite eggs. We recommend placing a piece or two of newspaper between the ice packs and the sample.
Never store samples in the freezer!!!
While guidelines allow for samples to be stored in a refrigerator for up to 6 days, we prefer to analyse them as early as possible to give you real-time results, and ask that you collect your sample within 24 hours of pick-up time, the closer the better.
Step 4 - The Results
By following the steps above you help ensure you can get the right results and treatment!
Results within 24 - 48 hours, unless otherwise stated. Same-day results possible for WEC.
All testing includes recommended treatment & POM-VPS prescriptions where required.
Follow-up worming, testing, and treatment advice.