Recent developments on effective anthelmintic use in Sheep and Goats

Abstract

For half a century worm control in small ruminants relied too heavily on anthelmintics, resulting in widespread and increasing drug resistance in several Helminth species. Currently two highly effective and safe drugs that are unrelated to existing drug groups have been launched onto the international market. Derquatal and Monepantel are not chemically related but face similar risks of anthelmintic resistance if they are abused or used unwisely. A similar strategy is thus required to retain efficacy and prolong their effective lifespans. These recommended practices are listed and briefly dealt with as an integrated package of worm control measures. They comprise reducing the rate and amount of pasture contamination, identifying and protecting the animals most at risk, reducing selection pressure for anthelmintic resistance, practical worm infection monitoring, increasing sheep and goat resistance to worm infections. Relatively recently the only proven practical system of targeted selective treatment, the FAMACHA© system, has been augmented by the FIVE POINT CHECK©, which covers most or all important parasitic Helminth infections