Parasites in Sheep in the Faroe Islands: Sníkar á seyði í Føroyum

Abstract

In the autumn of 1998, samples from 15 lambs were studied post mortem for the presence of endoparasites. In the winter, spring, and autumn of 1999, faecal samples were collected from 226 lambs and ewes and were searched for the presence of nematode eggs, Eimeria oocysts, lungworm larvae, and Fasciola eggs. Ectoparasites found in connection with these examinations were also noted. The studies confirm that the following parasites are present in and on sheep in the Faroe Islands. Nematodes in the abomasum: Teladorsagia circumcincta, T. trifurcata, T. davtiani and Trichostrongylus axei.
Nematodes in the small intestine: Trichostrongylus vitrinus, Nematodirus battus, and N.filicollis. Nematodes in the large intestine: Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum venulosum, and Trichuris ovis. Nematodes in the lungs: Dictyocaulus filaria and Muellerius capillaris. Cestodes in the small intestine: Moniezia expansa. Cestodes in the abdominal cavity: Cysticercus tenuicollis (Taenia hydatigena). Coccidia in the small intestine: Eimeria spp. Flukes in the liver: Fasciola hepatica. Ectoparasites:
Bovicola ovis and Melophagus ovinus. There are significant reasons to believe that Psoroptes ovis is also present, although it was not found in this study. It is anticipated that these parasites would have a great impact on the health of the sheep in the Faroe Islands, if proper management and medication were not performed. The results of this project contribute to an overall understanding of the parasite population in and on sheep in the Faroe Islands, although extensive study is needed in the future to get a more detailed understanding of the parasite complex and of the epidemiology of the same parasites.