2 June 2011

For pig herds using Vetscore monitoring the presence or absence of 'milk-spot' livers gives very useful information as to the prevalence of ascarid worms on the farm. However, it does not give any information as to the status of the sows, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company ACMC Ltd.

He recommends, therefore, that faecal samples are screened at least annually for worm eggs to give an indication as to the level of any infestations and the efficacy of the worming programme.