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Tapeworm control practices by sheep farmers in Northern Ireland
C McMahon1, H W J Edgar2, J P Barley2
1Parasite Therapeutics Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, The Queen's University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9, 7BL, United Kingdom.
Veterinary Parasitology, Regional Studies and Reports
|April 25, 2019
Summary
Most Northern Ireland sheep farmers do not treat tapeworms, yet some use ineffective products. This practice, despite low infection rates, risks developing anthelmintic resistance in other parasites.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Sheep Health Management
- Anthelmintic Resistance
Background:
- Tapeworm infections in sheep are perceived by farmers as having less impact on productivity compared to other parasites.
- Despite low diagnosed infection rates, a significant portion of sheep farmers in Northern Ireland engage in tapeworm treatment.
- The use of specific anthelmintic classes, particularly macrocyclic lactones (MLs), for tapeworm control is noted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate current tapeworm control practices among sheep farmers in Northern Ireland.
- To assess the appropriateness of anthelmintic drug choices for tapeworm treatment in sheep.
- To evaluate the potential risk of anthelmintic resistance development due to current treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was distributed to 252 sheep farmers in Northern Ireland in 2012.
- Replies from 228 flock owners provided data on tapeworm control practices and drug usage.
- Diagnostic data on tapeworm infections from 2007-2014 were analyzed from the Veterinary Sciences Division database.
Main Results:
- The majority of sheep farmers (61.8%) did not treat for tapeworms, with an average of 2.3 treatments per year for those who did.
- Benzimidazole compounds and macrocyclic lactones (MLs) were the most frequently used drug classes, with combined use of MLs and other agents representing potentially inappropriate choices.
- Positive tapeworm diagnoses remained low, with a maximum of 3.1% recorded in 2007.
Conclusions:
- Many sheep farmers in Northern Ireland treat for tapeworm without clear justification, often using ineffective products.
- The current treatment practices raise concerns about the potential for inadvertent development of anthelmintic resistance in other economically important nematode and trematode parasites.
- There is a need for improved education and guidance for sheep farmers on appropriate parasite control strategies, particularly concerning tapeworms.
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