Responsible use of Anthelminitics in Grazing Animals
Responsible Use of Anthelmintics in Grazing Animals
RUMA Alliance member the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued guidance, supported by RUMA, on the use of anthelmintics in grazing animals in the form of a poster for display. The main points are that:
- Resistance to anthelmintics in grazing animals is serious and increasing
- If not checked resistance could have a catastrophic impact on animal welfare and economic production
- Anthelmintics are a necessary option but their use must be judicious
- Every application increases the risk
Do
- Encourage the development of farm health planning including worming strategies
- Ensure full grazing management programmes and the use of regular faecal egg counts to ensure treatment of only those animals that need it
- Target the drug used to the parasite to be treated
- Emphasise the importance of not underdosing, through underestimation of body weight, maladministration of the product, or lack of calibration of the dosing device
- Advise that newly treated animals should NOT necessarily be moved immediately onto clean pasture
- Explain and emphasise the importance of quarantining incoming animals and give individual guidance on their treatment
- Investigate suspected clinical cases of resistance and advise on the selection of alternatives from other classes
- Report suspected cases of lack of efficacy to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Do Not
- Treat unnecessarily
- Blanket Treat
Further detailed advice on the treatment of parasites in ruminants can be found at Sheep – SCOPS and Cattle – COWS .