How can Faecal Spore Counting (FSC) aid assessment of Facial Eczema risk?
As the spores are not distributed evenly on pasture it is difficult to gauge the amount of spores that have been swallowed by the stock, unless the faeces are sampled. Faecal spore counting has been found to be successful in assessing the extent of Facial Eczema. The spores and toxins are swallowed during grazing, but the spores pass through the digestive system intact and are eliminated in the faeces. The toxins are shed during eating. They can then be counted under the microscope. Once the risk to stock has been assessed, then appropriate measures can be taken. Monthly samples from August to December and at weekly thereafter are necessary to monitor the spore levels in the faeces.
