Just to note that the worming requirements for Sheep Measles (Ovis) only apply to our Farm daycare dogs (The Farm is located next to working sheep farms).
 
What is Sheep Measles (Ovis)?
 
Sheep Measles (Ovis) is a tapeworm which is spread from dogs to sheep and vice versa.

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 by 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 monthly 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 with tablets containing the ingredient Praziquantal :
 
- by us, 48 hours before coming on-site for the first time with Droncit (used in rural areas and specifically for tapeworms which cause Ovis, then
- by us, every 3 months with Milbemax (an all-wormer – common brand sold by vets / pet shops), and
- by us, monthly between Milbemax dosages with Droncit
 
This is the same as the worming schedule undertaken by farmers for their working dogs.
 
Frequently asked questions
 
Q: I already worm my dog at home - is that ok to get started ?
A : No sorry. We need to pre-worm your dog with tablets which contain Praziquantal and add them to our worming register before they can come on to the Farm. We'll provide you with Droncit tablets before your dog starts.

Q : Do I still need to worm my dog at home once they've started at the farm ?
A : No. If your dog attends Boom Rock Dogs regularly, we have to manage their worming schedule as part of our biosecurity programme for our rural community. Once your dog starts at the farm it's important that you stop giving your dog worming tablets at home to avoid over-treatment. You should continue with regular flea-only treatments.

Q : Which worming products do you use ?
A : We use Droncit and Milbemax worming tablets.

Q : How often will my dog be wormed at the farm ?
A : We need to worm your dog at least once every 35 days to maintain effective coverage against Ovis tapeworms. Our worming programme is set for the last week of every month, on a three-monthly cycle. Month one is Milbemax, months two and three are Droncit. Then we're back to Milbemax.

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 Ohariu Farm tolerate Droncit without issue. Milbemax is a bit stronger - containing ingredients to control a number of worms which infect dogs. Of the all-wormer tablet brands we have tried, Milbemax is best tolerated, even by dogs with sensitive tums. Tablets are administered on the farm with a small amount Possyum dog meat to ensure they are gobbled up. 
 
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 : Treatment cost is based on the size of your dog. For a Labrador-sized dog the worming treatment is around $5 per month. Bigger or smaller dogs will cost more, or less.

Q : My dog is going on holiday - what if we miss a worming treatment on the farm ?
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 : Is there a record of when my dog was wormed ?
A : Yes, we record the date, product and dose every time we administer a worming treatment to your dog. If you need proof of worming for kennels, to go on to a working farm or your vet please email us.

Q : The Droncit tablets you dropped off for my dog to start say '1 tablet per 10kg of weight' on the packaging. Why is the dose your've dropped off lower ? 
A : The correct dose rate in New Zealand for monthly control of tapeworm in dogs 1 Droncit tablet per 20kg. Hydatid Tapeworm (Ovis) has been provisionally eradicated in NZ (since 2002) and so the dose rate required to control Hydatid Tapeworm does not apply in the New Zealand setting. The dose rate "1 per 10 kg" (5 mg/kg) seen on the packaging is applicable to Australia who share this packaging with us and still have a higher Hydatid Tapeworm risk.

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 34 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.