Re: Carcass Condemnation Due to Ovine Cysticercosis

May 14, 2012

Re: Carcass Condemnation due to Ovine Cysticercosis

It has been brought to our attention that X sheep/lamb carcasses identified with CSIP tag numbers (insert tag #’s) originating from your flock were condemned at slaughter facility due to the presence of ovine cysticercosis.

Ovine Cysticercosis is the condition that occurs when the larval stage (Cysticercus ovis) of a dog tapeworm is present in the muscles of a lamb or sheep carcass. Taenia ovis is the adult stage tapeworm found in dogs and Cysticercus ovis (C. ovis )is the larval stage of the same parasite that is found in sheep. In sheep, it is detected by inspectors during post mortem examination of the carcass in the slaughter facility. The carcass is condemned because the lesions in the meat are unsightly and unacceptable to consumers.

Cystericus ovis is a serious threat to the growing Canadian lamb consumer markets. It is also a growing cost to producers, lamb feeders and processors. For example, between January and March of 2012, the 228 carcasses that have been condemned at SunGold have cost the plant more than $50,000; or $3.40 for every lamb delivered to the plant for processing.

The presence of C. ovis in the lamb indicates that it was infected by consuming dog tapeworm eggs at least 30 days before slaughter. This parasite causes no harm to sheep but is important because of the economic losses associated with the condemnation of carcasses. There is no treatment for this parasite in sheep and prevention of exposure to dog tapeworm eggs is critical in preventing this condition. Management practices such as effective, regular deworming of all dogs on your property and proper disposal of sheep carcasses and offal will help prevent exposure of your sheep to these parasite eggs in the future.

There are many dog dewormers available but not all of them are effective on the adult tapeworm. Effective and inexpensive products are available. Please see the enclosed sheet for

130 Malcolm Road Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1 Telephone (519) 824.6018  Fax (866) 909.5360 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cansheep.ca more information on how to prevent infection in your dogs and contact your veterinarian to obtain these products for your dogs.

You are strongly encouraged to take the corrective actions necessary to prevent exposure of your flock to this parasite. A brochure on C. ovis is enclosed and further information is available on-line at http://cansheep.ca/User/Docs/POV%2007-2009.pdf .

If you have any further questions about this parasite please contact Daniel Fitzgerald, Parasitology Lab, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development at 780-427-8277.

Sincerely,

Jennifer MacTavish Gerald Hauer, DVM, MVPHMgt Executive Director, Chief Provincial Veterinarian Canadian Sheep Federation Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

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