GOTAFE’s Faecal Egg Count Analysis Laboratory (FECAL) has been established to better monitor and manage parasite infestations in horses, cattle and sheep.
The laboratory is an initiative of the Animal Sciences team and is located at the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, 218 Tone Road, Wangaratta.
What does FECAL do?
In the equine industry there is a growing problem of resistance to de-wormers. De-wormers also have no new active ingredient to combat parasite control. Faecal egg count methods can help in this area by establishing the level of resistance a horse has to de-worming products. FECAL has been established to help address this issue. A GOTAFE staff member works in the laboratory on a pert-time basis and students are also involved in the process.
How does it work?
Faecal samples are dropped off or posted to our laboratory. Here the samples are analysed under a microscope and from the sample, it can be determined whether the horse is a low, medium or high shedder and provider (whether they are more or less resistant to de-wormers). An analysis is then provided to the horse or property owner, who can then take action to treat the horse.
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