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Internal Parasites in Sheep and Goats

Summary

Parasites commonly found in sheep and goats can be divided into two general categories: external (skin) and internal (organ) parasites. Because internal parasites tend to prefer a specific organ, there are multiple types. The most common internal parasites in sheep and goats are: lung worms (Dictyocaulus spp. or Muellerius capillaris); stomach worms (Haemonchus contortus, commonly called barber pole worm); liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica); and intestinal parasites, the most common of which are coccidia (Eimeria or Isospora).