FAMACHA, uses and limitations

FAMACHA©, ITS USES AND LIMITATIONS

Being a Term Paper Presentation (VMPE 801)

Presented to:

Staffs and Students of the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

By:Akanni Azeez Olamide

(P13SCBS8070)Lecturer: Prof. Ajanusi

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND INFORMATION


• Gastrointestinal parasites are a limiting factor in the production of small ruminants in various regions of the world.

• The indiscriminate use of anthelmintics as practically the only method of control of gastrointestinal parasites resulted in an extremely serious problem of Anthelmintic Resistance (AR)

• The development of AR is a great challenge for the production and the wellbeing of ruminants on pasture

• Targeted selective treatment (TST) system ensures that with each anthelmintic treatment, a large proportion of the parasites in the system are not exposed to the drug(s) used and are subsequently able to infect susceptible hosts and produce viable offspring


• One possibility is the use of clinical anaemia as a determinant, with subsequent selection and antihelminthic treatment of only those animals which seem unable to cope with the infection. For this reason, the FAMACHA© system was developed


WHAT IS FAMACHA©?

INTRODUCTION CONT’D

WHAT IS FAMACHA©?

• FAMACHA© is a targeted selective treatment (TST) method, which refers to the identification and treatment of only those individual animals that require supportive treatment using anaemia as an indicator, while leaving the rest untreated

BRIEF HISTORY OF FAMACHA©?

INTRODUCTION CONT’D

• The FAMACHA© method was developed by three South African researchers Drs Francois Malan, Gareth Bath and Jan van Wyk.


• (FAffa MAlan CHArt) was obviously coined from the combination of names of the lead inventors and the chart being used.

• It was developed due to observation of major anthelmintic resistance in South Africa. The experiment which led to the development of the first FAMACHA© card was conducted on a sheep farm near Badplaas, South Africa, in a climatic zone characterized by hot, wet summers and mild winters.


UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE OF FAMACHA©

• Clinical diagnosis of anaemia is the basis on which FAMACHA© is developed


• As Haemonchus are blood suckers, the effects of a heavy parasite burden in non-resilient animal will therefore be evident as a low ratio of red cells to plasma. This is seen in the mucous membranes of the eyes as a visible paleness generally known as anaemia. By monitoring anaemia, resilient and susceptible animals can be identified.

USES OF FAMACHA©

Reduction in Cost of Antihelminthic Treatment on Farm

• The use of FAMACHA can cause a significant drop in the amount and frequency of deworming which will eventually reduce the amount of money spent on drugs.

• This is due to the fact that treatment is now selective unlike the other indiscriminate method in which all sheep and goats are treated once an outbreak is suspected. There will probably only be a small to moderate number of sheep or goats that need to be treated at each examination

Reduction and Arrest of Antihelminthic Resistance Trend

• FAMACHA is used to reduce the development of resistance in worm populations because fewer animals will be treated. Based on the selective treatment option, Individual animals that repeatedly fail to cope with the helminth infection in spite of the effective treatment can be identified and eliminated which will allow the breeding of better adapted animals

Permits Identification and Early Treatment before Major Outbreak

• These animals can be treated before the symptoms and effects of anaemia become too severe, if the flock is examined regularly. Animals that escaped treatment or were under-dosed or improperly drenched (e.g. owing to faulty drenching syringe), can be identified before severe problems occur.

If there is a severe build-up of infective larvae on the pasture, an early warning of the impending danger can be a sudden increase in the number of anaemic animals.

May Help Identify the Ineffectiveness of an Antihelminthic Drug

• If an ineffective dewormer for Haemonchus is used, this will become apparent because many anaemic sheep are seen after treatment. However, if an effective dewormer is used, pale mucous membranes should become noticeably redder in colour within a week or so, provided protein intake is sufficient and body condition is adequate.

LIMITATIONS OF FAMACHA©

Over Reliance on Anaemia

• Though Haemonchus is by far the most important cause of anaemia in goats and sheep and it is upon this that FAMACHA system works. However, there are other causes of anaemia that could cause confusion such as Hookworms, Liver fluke, External parasites, Blood parasites, Bacterial and viral infections as well as Nutritional deficiencies

Over Reliance of Colour Condition of the Conjuctivae

• Anaemia appears to have a correlated relationship with the different shades of colour of the mucous membrane of the eye. However, certain conditions can make the eye’s membranes appear redder than expected and thus mask the presence of anaemia. Some examples are: hot and/or dusty conditions which irritate the eyes, driving animals a long distance with no rest period afterwards, fever, Infectious eye diseases and diseases associated with blood circulatory failure.

Use only in the Management of Haemonchus contortus

• So far, only Haemonchus infection can be successfully monitored to a certain degree by this technique.

• A program for controlling these and other worms may be needed as well. If either of these worms are the primary problem and Haemonchus is only present in low to moderate numbers, then FAMACHA© may fail to provide a sound basis for treatment decisions.

FAMACHA© System allows for Animals to get Anaemic before Treatment is Initiated

• With FAMACHA©, animals are allowed to become anaemic prior to being treated. It is therefore critical to use an effective de-wormer. Drug resistance to all available de-wormers is becoming quite common.

• FAMACHA© is only a component of a good management program for Haemonchus and cannot be used on its own. A good, integrated control program using smart drenching principles must still be used.

CONCLUSION

FAMACHA© being a targeted selective treatment (TST) method proves significantly use in saving cost and equally arresting the rise rate of Antihelminthic Resistance (AR). Though has its limitations, nevertheless, it remains a recommended decision tool in maintaining a healthy pasture.

THANK YOU!

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FAMACHA, uses and limitations