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McMasters Method- Fecal Analysis PART2

Part 2

Steps 1-4 on Part1

5. Slowly add your fecal matter to the top line where it says 30ml (take your knife and poke down into solution not stirring but making sure it isn't floating)
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6. Pour mixture into clean Dixie cup and gently stir half turn or so
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7. Pour into fine strainer (VERY IMPORTANT FOR IT TO BE FINE) setting strainer over dixie cup - dixie cup not used in this pic- SIFT but do not push fecal matter through, let liquid drain into cup
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8. Take your 1ml syringe and collect liquid- hold slide up at a slight angle and gently inject chambers (filling chambers) with fecal
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8. Both sides are open so do not tilt too much or you will have your fecal drip out. Here is a fiiled 2 chamber slide.
As you can see there is a square with lines inside.
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9. Set on scope and you are ready to go. :) Below is info on how to read your slide.
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The McMAsters slides have a grid printed on them. Each row will be a pass on your scope.
The viewing width is between the lines.

First you will need to focus in your scope-
When first learning to use your scope you will need to know how to focus in, a simple way to explain this is to look for black rings... these are air bubbles, they look like old vinyl 45 records ( for those of you old enough to know what a record is) or some would say they look like black tires.

Once focused

Find your corner of the grid- find the corner and move slide to where the viewing is at bottom left centered in the first row. Between the 2 lines.

As you make a pass you count all the eggs in that row, go up the row and then over and down, over and up etc., repeat the process continue until the first chamber has been counted.

You are counting all the eggs in each row.

Record the number of eggs counted. Check for different types of eggs, keeping a separate count for each. Count second chamber. DO NOT count eggs outside of the green box.
Demonstrated is the 4g method
When using the 4 gram method for the EPG count you will add the egg numbers from both chambers. A+B= C
Chamber A # + Chamber B#= C (eggs)
C (eggs) x 25 (multiplier) = EPG Count

Do not multiple Cocci Oocysts or Tape eggs*

I like the 4 gram method best. Some use 2grm with a multiplier of 50. If you do this you must adjust the formula.
Your solution line will be 28ml top line you still want 30ml... so you are adding 2g fecal.... run slide count eggs and multiply by 50

If using 1 gram (not recommended) use 29ml solution, 1 gram fecal multiply by 100.

We find 4 gm gives the most accurate results.

If you have 3 eggs total in chamber A and 2 eggs in Chamber B= 5 eggs multiply x25= 125 EPG count.

What Do I Do With the Results?
The results of your EPG counts and the observations used in the FAMACHA and the 5 Point Check systems can be used to determine if treatment is necessary. Logging your results will help you to monitor your herd an identify unthrifty, parasite prone animals. If treatment is necessary or perhaps borderline, consulting with your veterinarian for treatment options and dosages is best. Proper usage of dewormers is extremely important. Using dewormers improperly, under dosing etc can lead to drug resistance.

There is great controversy over the EPG numbers and when to deworm. At one point it was recommended do not deworm anything under 1000 EPG, now some say higher.

Utilizing EPG and FAMACHA together is important.

A 45- 55 lb goat with an EPG of 650 may not do well and show signs of anemia and un thriftiness and at 1000 could be severely anemic. Whereas another goat at 100-130 lbs may be fine at 650-1000.

Dairy goats should be well monitored because they are producing and a high parasite load taxes their body. They will produce less and if load gets too high a longer course of treatment may be necessary which means pitching milk!

Coccidia as well as tapes can be seen although you do not use a multiplier it can show you if you have other issues. Watching for coccidia in kids is very important.

Part 3 will include simple floatation. (Coming soon)
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