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, produced by the same company as Drontal), then
- by us, every 3 months with Endogard or Milbemax (an all-wormer – common brand sold by vets / pet shops), and
- by us, monthly between Endogard 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. We need to pre-worm your dog with Droncit (which contains Praziquantal) and add them to our worming register before they can come on to the Farm. We'll provide you with 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. We are required to keep a register for the Ohariu community and WCC to view to demonstrate our biosecurity compliance. We'll worm your dog every month on the farm. 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: 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. 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. Tablets are administered on the farm with a small amount Possyum dog meat to ensure they are gobbled up. Feedback from owners of sensitive tum dogs has been 100% positive without any reports of upsets.
 
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: The Droncit tablets you dropped off 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 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.