Just to note that the worming requirements for Sheep Measles (Ovis) only apply to our Farm daycare dogs (The Farm is located next to workings sheep farms).
 
What is Sheep Measles (Ovis)?
 
Sheep Measles (Ovis) is a tapeworm which is spread from dogs to sheep. The sheep become infected by eating pasture where dogs carrying live Ovis tapeworm or eggs have toileted. Infected dog waste can also spread to adjoining pasture - spread by the wind (good ol' Welli!) as it decomposes.
 
Sheep measles causes the sheep to produce inferior quality meat that contains small cysts. It is devastating for the sheep industry as the meat cannot be sold, and any infected or potentially infected sheep need to be destroyed.
 
Dogs can contract tapeworm by being fed infected untreated sheep or goat meat, or eating infected sheep droppings. 

Ovis control
 
In an urban environment, you should worm your dog every three months. In rural NZ it's a bit different.
 
Regular worming of dogs that have access to sheep pasture is essential to breaking the tapeworm / sheep measles (Ovis) cycle between dogs and sheep.
 
To protect sheep on adjoining properties and in the Ohariu Valley community, and as part of our Resource Consent, all the dogs who come to Boom Rock Dogs need to be wormed:
 
- by us, 48 hours before coming on-site for the first time, then
- by us, every 3 months with Endogard (an all-wormer – common brand sold by vets / pet shops), and
- by us, monthly between Endogard dosages with Droncit (used in rural areas and specifically for tapeworms which cause Ovis, produced by the same company as Drontal).
 
This is the same as the worming schedule undertaken by farmers for their working dogs.
 
Frequently asked questions
 
Q: Can I worm my dog myself?
A: If your dog attends Boom Rock Dogs regularly, we have to manage their worming schedule. We are required to keep a register for the Ohariu community and WCC to view. We'll worm your dog every month on the farm.

Q: My dog has a sensitive stomach / diet - does that make a difference for worming?
A: Droncit is a mild, single ingredient worming tablet which specifically targets just the Ovis tapeworm and eggs. We find that all dogs attending The Farm tolerate Droncit without issue. Endogard is a bit stronger - containing ingredients to control a number of worms which infect dogs. We administer Endogard every 3 months. Most dogs tolerate Endogard well, but if your dog is prone to upset tummies, then we recommend Milbemax instead. It costs slightly more, and only a few of our Boom Rock Farm dogs require it. Feedback from those dogs owners has been 100% positive without any reports of upset tums or bottom burps.
 
Q: Is there a charge for worming?
A: Yes, the cost of worming tablets will be added to your monthly invoice. But because we buy the tablets in bulk it's much cheaper than buying them from the pet store or vet. 

Q: What does it cost?
A: For a Labrador-sized dog the worming treatment is around $4.50 per month. For the same dog but with a sensitive tummy, the treatment will cost around $5.80 per month. Bigger or smaller dogs will cost more, or less.

Q: My dog has been on holiday - what if we miss a worming treatment?
A: If your dog is away for our regular on-farm worming we'll send you the tablets by post. You need to administer them as soon as you get home. It's really important that your dog stays on our worming schedule. 
 
Q: I need to book my dog in at short notice or just the odd day – can he attend?
A: Your dog must be wormed by us 48 hours before coming on-site. This allows time for the worm treatment to kill not only any live tapeworms (takes approximately 10 hours), but also any eggs present in the dogs gut. If your dog comes regularly or casually and we have wormed him in the last 28 days he can come straight away. If not, there's a 48 hour stand-down.
 
Q: Apart from worming, how can I stop Ovis?
A: You can help to break the Ovis cycle by not feeding your dog raw, untreated sheep or goat meat. If your dogs diet includes raw meat, the meat should be pre-frozen for a minimum of 10 days at -10 degrees or colder.