FAMACHA
FAMACHA is a selective treatment method for controlling the level of parasitic barber's pole worm among domesticated small ruminant populations. In contrast with earlier, more aggressive approaches, under FAMACHA only certain sheep or goats in a flock are selected for treatment. Selection for treatment is based on the degree of anemia the animals are displaying in their mucous membranes, which is assessed through a colour guided chart.
Background
The FAMACHA method of selective treatment was developed by three South African researchers against the backdrop of major anthelmintic resistance in South Africa. However, the method has since been implemented successfully in various locations around the world.The aim of the method is to maintain a sufficient susceptible H. contortus worm population on the pasture. By only dosing those sheep in critical need of treatment, selection for worms resistant against treatment is retarded, while at the same time the farmer can monitor and cull those sheep with a poor natural resistance against these worms.
Procedure
The eye color chart estimates the level of anemia in small ruminants. The procedure is as follows: cover the top eyelid, gently push down on the eyelid, pull down the bottom eyelid, and the mucous membranes will pop into view.Anemia is assessed via a colour guided chart: a sheep with a score of 1 having a pink-red mucous membrane colour and not requiring treatment for haemonchosis; whereas a sheep with a score of 5 has white mucous membranes, requiring immediate dosing for haemonchosis and probably intensive medical treatment.