Monezia

27.7.2 Monezia Monezia is a tapeworm that lives in the small intestine of ruminants.

Cattle and Buffalo: Monezia does not usually cause illness in cattle and buffalo. Therefore, it is not recommended to treat cattle and buffalo for tapeworms. However, the presence of tapeworm segments in the feces of cattle or buffalo, may indicate that the animals are also infected with small roundworms and need treatment.

Sheep and Goats: Monezia may cause some digestion problems in young sheep and goats, but rarely in adults. However, in adult sheep and goats, it is rare to see tapeworm segments in their feces unless they are already sick from small roundworms.

Life cycle:

1. The adult tapeworm lives in the small intestines of the host (sheep, goats, cattle, and buffalo).

2. Segments containing eggs break off from the adult and pass out with the feces.

3. Mites eat the eggs, which hatch and develop into “cysticercoids.”

4. The host eats the mites. The cysticercoids are released from the mites and become adults in the small intestines of the host.

Symptoms:

 Young sheep and goats are thin and malnourished looking. They may show signs of anemia.

Diagnosis:

 Tapeworm segments may be visible in feces. Other signs of anemia such as pale gums may also be seen.

Treatment:

 Young sheep and goats with tapeworms should be treated for both tapeworms and small roundworms. Cattle, buffalo, adult sheep and adult goats need to be treated for small roundworms only.

Control:

 Treat regularly for small roundworms. Practice pen/pasture rotation. Treat the animals with worm medicine the same day they are being rotated to a new pen/pasture. Clean pens and let them dry for several days in the sun before moving animals into them.