Adjustments for faecal worm egg counts from cattle based on faecal consistency and on age and body weight of host

Abstract

Results are reported of studies to determine whether interpretations of worm egg counts per gram of faeces as an indication of the population fluctuations among gastro-intestinal helminths of cattle would benefit from adjustments to the egg counts for faecal consistency, and for changes in faecal output associated with the age and body weight of the host. Adjustments for faecal consistency proved of little value. Adjustments for age or body weight, however, were found to be important, and factors for adjustment to a standard age or weight are tabulated. Under field conditions age is more readily ascertained than weight, and estimates showed that prediction of faecal output from age varied only slightly from prediction from body weight.