Australian sheepdogs have been trained to sniff out sheep infected with parasites. This skill will also be applied to create a handheld “sniffer” device aimed at detecting live roundworms in the stomachs of sheep.
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(Photo: BBC) |
This innovative method of detecting parasites through scent has the potential to save the Australian sheep farming industry millions of dollars each year, according to scientists at La Trobe University.
Parasites living in sheep are a persistent headache for Australian shepherds. They can affect the growth of wool and meat, leaving the animals weak and susceptible to diseases. In severe cases, sheep can even die.
Antiparasitic medications have been a useful measure for many years, but now microorganisms have developed resistance to these drugs. Therefore, researchers are searching for alternative methods.
“The fact that dogs can detect the scent of parasites indicates that some intestinal parasites can be recognized by their smell,” remarked lead researcher Mark Sandeman.
In practice, a sheepdog named Seb has been trained to detect sheep feces containing parasites with an accuracy of 80-90%. However, it is still too early to specify exactly which chemicals Seb has been able to smell.
Based on this discovery, researchers plan to develop a handheld sniffing device. They believe they can launch the product within the next five years. “We considered using dogs outside the farm, but that would have many disadvantages. So we think it’s better to have a small device that every farmer can use,” Sandeman stated.
M.T
