Frequently asked questions
- What is a FAMACHA© card?
- How do I get a FAMACHA© card?
- Where can I take a FAMACHA© training?
- Where can I find a FAMACHA© instructor?
- Where can I buy a McMaster slide?
- What is the Five Point Check©?
A FAMACHA© card is a laminated card that has color illustrations of eyes from sheep having different levels of anemia. Anemia (paleness due to blood loss) is the primary symptom of infection with Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm). Animals can be classifed into different categories by comparing the color of their ocular mucous membranes with the colors depicted on the card. It is recommended that only anemic animals (those with FAMACHA© scores of 4 or 5 and sometimes 3) be treated with an anthelmintic.
In order to receive a FAMACHA© card, non-veterinarians must receive proper instruction in the FAMACHA© method. Please read our .
Veterinarians can order FAMACHA© cards by sending an e-mail to .
Where can I take a FAMACHA© training?
FAMACHA© workshops are held throughout the United States. Contact your local extension office or state small ruminant specialist to find out if there are any upcoming workshops in your area. The American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control maintains a list of upcoming FAMACHA© workshops on the web site. If you would like to add a workshop to the list, please contact the webmaster at .
Where can I find a FAMACHA© instructor?
The American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control maintains a list of qualified FAMACHA© instructors. If there aren't any instructors listed for your state, contact your local extension office or the state small ruminant specialist to find out if there any instructors in your area. Some of the instructors listed on the web site may be willing to travel to your location to conduct a FAMACHA© workshop. Your local veterinarian may also be able to provide training.
Where can I buy a McMaster slide?
A McMaster slide is a special slide that is used for fecal egg counting. McMaster slides can be purchased from these companies.
Chalex Corporation
P.O. Box 187
Wallowa, OR 97885
www.vetslides.com
Eggzamin™
eggzamin.com
FEC Source
fecsource.com
Focal Point
TE (Eddy) Krecek
; www.mcmaster.co.za
Hausser Scientific
935 Horsham Road, Suite C
Horsham, PA 19044
www.hausserscientific.com
Please contact the , if you know of another source of McMaster egg counting slides.
What is the Five Point Check©?
The Five Point Check© is an extension of the FAMACHA© system, a decision-making tool that allows farmers to make deworming decisions for all of the parasites that commonly affect small ruminants. Developed by researchers in South Africa, the Five Point Check© involves five check points on the animal: 1) ocular mucous membranes (FAMACHA© score); 2) back (body condition score); 3) tail (dag score); 4) jaw (bottle jaw); and 5) nose (nasal discharge). The Five Point Check© was developed for sheep. For goats, it is suggested that the nose check point be replaced with coat condition, as nasal bots tend to be less problematic in goats than sheep.