Why Parasites Matter at Purchase
A goat or sheep can look fine in a listing photo and still be carrying a heavy worm load. Internal parasites, especially the barber-pole worm, cause anemia, weight loss, and sudden death. Buying an affected animal brings the problem home to your herd and can wipe out young stock.
Most small ruminant losses from parasites happen because buyers rely on seller claims or distant photos. A short hands-on check at the pen catches the signs early.
The Five-Point Check
Developed alongside FAMACHA, the five-point check looks at five body areas for parasite clues. You can complete it in under two minutes per animal.
Eyes (FAMACHA Score)
Pull down the lower eyelid and compare the color of the mucous membrane to a FAMACHA card.
- Score 1: deep red — healthy
- Score 2: red-pink — acceptable
- Score 3: pink — borderline; consider treatment if young, pregnant, or thin
- Score 4: pink-white — treat
- Score 5: white — urgent treatment
A score of 3 or higher on a listing animal is a reason to walk away or demand a veterinary exam and fecal egg count.
Jaw
Check under the jaw for soft swelling called bottle jaw. This fluid buildup signals severe protein loss from blood-feeding worms. Even mild swelling is a red flag.
Back
Run your hand along the spine. A sharp, prominent backbone or hollow flanks means poor body condition. Parasites steal nutrients; an animal that should be fleshy for its age but is thin is suspect.
Rear
Look at the tail and hindquarters for diarrhea or soiling. Scours can indicate other worms or concurrent disease. Clean, dry hind ends are better, but absence of diarrhea does not rule out Haemonchus.
Nose
Note any nasal discharge. While not specific to gut worms, discharge plus other signs points to overall poor health.
What to Ask the Seller
Before you travel or bid:
- Has the animal been FAMACHA scored recently?
- When was the last deworming, and with which product?
- Are fecal egg counts available?
- Have there been parasite losses in the flock or herd this season?
A seller who cannot answer these questions or refuses a hands-on check is a higher risk.
Practical Takeaways for Buyers
- Bring a FAMACHA card or photo of one if you do not own the official card.
- Score both eyes; use the worse score.
- Combine the eye score with body condition and bottle-jaw check.
- Quarantine any new animal for at least 14 days even if it passes the check.
- Prefer animals from sellers who practice selective deworming rather than whole-herd treatments.
A quick five-point check stops you from paying for an animal that will cost more in treatment and lost production than the purchase price. On Occuin, ask for recent health notes and arrange a pen-side inspection before you commit.
After You Buy
Even a clean check is not a guarantee. Isolate the new animal, monitor appetite and manure, and schedule a fecal egg count with your veterinarian. Early detection keeps the problem from spreading to the rest of your stock.
