Haemonchus contortus

This parasite is responsible for anemia, oedema, and death of infected sheep and goats, mainly during summer in warm, humid climates.

The L4 larvae, formed after another molt, and adult worms suck blood in the abomasum of the animal, potentially giving rise to anaemia and oedema, which eventually can lead to death.

[4] The infection, called haemonchosis, causes large economic losses for farmers around the world, especially for those living in warmer climates.

Sudden death may be the only observation in acute infection, while other common clinical signs include pallor, anemia, oedema, ill thrift, lethargy, and depression.

When the Barber's pole worm drinks the blood the antibodies attach to its stomach lining, preventing digestion and starving the animal.

Faecal egg counts are used to track parasite infestation levels, individual animals' susceptibility, and anthelmintic effectiveness.

[citation needed] Other management strategies include selective breeding for more parasite-resistant sheep or goats (e.g. by culling the most susceptible animals or by introducing parasite-resistant breeds such as Gulf Coast Native sheep); careful pasture management, such as managed intensive rotational grazing, especially during peak parasite season; and "cleaning" infested pastures by haying, tilling, or grazing with a nonsusceptible species (e.g. swine or poultry).

[11] Recent research has also shown that the use of hair sheep breeds, such as Katahdins, Dorpers, and St. Croix, can be chosen for resistance to internal parasites for economical standards; additionally, the hair breeds provide resistance without showing any significant effect growth performance of their progeny.

[12] One of the riskiest methods that can be used for treatments is the use of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) to aid in the destruction of the parasites inside the gut without the use of organic chemicals.

Treatment with the copper oxide wire particles could lead to less reliance on anthelmintics because the COWP allows for the reduction in establishment of parasitic infections, especially if the producer is trying to reduce the larval population on their pastures.

Some of these glycan structures might represent antigens which are not exposed to host immune system, and thus have potential for vaccine or drug development.