The Baermann technique for estimating Protostrongylus infection in bighorn sheep: effect of laboratory procedures

The modified Baermann funnel technique was evaluated to determine the effects of time of baermannization, fecal preparation, type and size of funnel, and type of filter on the number of first stage larvae of Protostrongylus spp. recovered from feces of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). More larvae were recovered when fecal pellets were baermannized for 24 hr compared to 8 hr, and when feces were crushed than when left intact. Use of small funnels resulted in the recovery of more larvae per gram of feces than larger funnels, and glass funnels more than plastic ones. There was no difference in recovery of larvae between cheesecloth filters and cellulose filters.