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