Most common inappropriate drug usage factors in anthelmintic treatment on sheep farms in Latvia.

Līga Kovaļčuka,Armands Vekšins,Marta Barbara Grasberga,Alīna Kļaviņa,Dace Keidāne

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2022.244-251

Līga Kovaļčuka, Armands Vekšins + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.244-251

Copy DOI

Abstract

Background and Aim:There is little understanding about antiparasitic drug prescription trends and implementation to reduce possible drug overuse or misuse worldwide. This study aimed to review sheep parasite control strategies and antiparasitic drug use habits in Latvia. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study in the world that describes how antiparasitic drugs are used and what are the most common drug usage errors in a sheep farm.Materials and Methods:A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to collect relevant information from face-to-face interviews to assess 22 sheep farmers’ knowledge and management procedures in farms. We collected information about animal feeding, herding, parasite diagnostics, and antiparasitic drug usage. The questionnaire summary included information on pasture use, parasite control management, and anthelmintic drug choice/use.Results:Only 36% of farms regularly managed parasite control by analyzing fecal samples for parasites, but prophylactic dewormingwas employed in all farms. Ivermectin, albendazole, levamisole, and monepantel were used on the farms and most of the farms were multidrug users; 77.3% of the farms used albendazole and 72.7% used ivermectin.Conclusion:The results indicated a lack of parasitological examination and parasite control of the flock, mostly empiric drug selection, incorrect dosing, inaccurate drug administration, drug storage, and use errors. A proactive approach to herd health planning, regular parasitic control, and prophylactic measures may benefit farmers and veterinarians.

Highlights

Parasitic infections are a widespread concern in veterinary medicine, including sheep medicine [1]
Ivermectin, albendazole, levamisole, and monepantel were used on the farms and most of the farms were multidrug users; 77.3% of the farms used albendazole and 72.7% used ivermectin
The results indicated a lack of parasitological examination and parasite control of the flock, mostly empiric drug selection, incorrect dosing, inaccurate drug administration, drug storage, and use errors

Summary

Introduction

Parasitic infections are a widespread concern in veterinary medicine, including sheep medicine [1]. Gastrointestinal parasites are one of the major challenges in sheep-health management because of the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in many parts of the world, especially in European countries [4,5,6,7,8], Northern Europe [9,10], and Baltic states (i.e., Lithuania and Estonia) [11,12]. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. This study aimed to review sheep parasite control strategies and antiparasitic drug use habits in Latvia. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study in the world that describes how antiparasitic drugs are used and what are the most common drug usage errors in a sheep farm

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion