Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

Which type of parasites are considered the most serious health problem for sheep and goats?

1. Protozoan parasites

2. External parasites

3. Internal parasites

4. Fungal infections

The correct answer is: Internal parasites

Internal parasites are indeed considered the most serious health problem for sheep and goats. These parasites, which include various species of nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes), can lead to significant health issues such as weight loss, poor growth, decreased milk production, and even death in severe cases. In small ruminants, internal parasites can cause conditions like enteritis and anemia, leading to reduced overall herd productivity. The life cycles of these parasites often involve eggs being shed in feces, which then hatch and infect the animals when they graze contaminated pastures. Management strategies, including deworming protocols and rotational grazing, are therefore critical in controlling these parasites and minimizing their impact on the herd's health. While protozoan parasites, external parasites, and fungal infections can also affect sheep and goats, they typically do not have the same level of prevalence or devastating impact on the health and economic viability of these animals as internal parasites do.