Kharasch’s research team sampled parasitic fecal egg counts in sheep and goats to evaluate the effectiveness of fenbendazole and discovered that parasites in sheep and goats across southern New England are currently largely resistant to the dewormer. The researchers also learned that moving animals between farms was not linked to changes in the dewormer’s effectiveness and that testing for parasites in early summer, when parasite levels naturally begin to rise, provides a more accurate picture than testing in spring, when levels are still low.
This study’s regional-specific data can advance parasite management on a larger scale, reduce the use of unnecessary treatment and slow rates of resistance to medically necessary drugs in sheep and goats. It can also provide U.S. farmers in other regions with valuable insights to make better parasite-control decisions on their own farms.
Dr. Eleanor L Kharasch weighs a goat prior to administering dewormer to ensure adequate dosing. Photo courtesy of Karen Yarosh, Whispering Brook Farm and Art Studio, Tolland CT