Sheep wormer made more widely available to combat resistance

A new group of sheep wormer has been made more widely available to farmers following a decision by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

From 1 July 2017, the Group 4-AD anthelmintic product – known as Zolvix –  will be available through agricultural merchants who employ pharmacists or other qualified persons, rather than solely through vets.

The wider availability of this new group of anthelmintic drenches offers sheep farmers the opportunity to integrate the new treatment into their parasite control plan and help reduce drug resistance, experts say.

See also: Drench calculator shows cost of wormer resistance

Resistance to anthelmintics is a real concern for the sheep industry and is getting worse year on year, with UK-wide reports of multiple resistance to benzimidazole (Group 1-BZ), imidazothiazole (Group 2-LV) and macrocyclic lactone (Group 3-ML) anthelmintics.

Therefore, experts are urging farmers to use the Group-4 drug in a controlled way and in conjunction with other treatments in order to prevent it developing its own resistance.

Advice for use

Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) says that it is essential it is used carefully so that its effectiveness, and that of the existing wormer groups, are extended for as long as possible.

Independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings welcomes the product’s wider launch but encourages farmers to strike the right balance when using it.

“On the one hand we need to harness the potential of Zolvix to improve lamb performance and slow anthelmintic resistance to other groups, but we must not fall into the trap of over-use, which brings with it a much increased risk of developing resistance to monepantel itself.

“The days when you could simply rotate product groups annually are long gone. In reality, most flocks will need to use three or more groups in a single season. For example, 1-BZ for nematodirus, a 2-LV or 3-ML and then a 4-AD or 5-SI in the late season and for quarantine. 
 
“This is quite daunting. It requires much more forward planning and monitoring, using faecal egg counts and probably [means] additional cost.” 

James Ruggeri, industry development executive at Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, which is a partner in SCOPS, added: “To get the most effective worming programme, along with a sustainable approach to combat anthelmintic resistance, it’s recommended that farmers establish the status of their flocks as regards resistance to groups 1-3 drenches, and consult their vets on the best solution for their farm.”