Moxidectin use in Scottish sheep flocks suggests a need for clearer product labelling and communication of updated SCOPS guidelines

McIntyre, J. , Miskell, L., Morgan, E. R., Lovatt, F. and Laing, R. (2023) Moxidectin use in Scottish sheep flocks suggests a need for clearer product labelling and communication of updated SCOPS guidelines. Veterinary Record, 192(2), e2083. (doi: 10.1002/vetr.2083) (PMID:36030372) (PMCID:PMC10087414)

Abstract

Background: Guidelines for sustainable use of moxidectin were established in 2020. This study aimed to identify how Scottish sheep farmers are using this key endectocide and estimate its effectiveness against gastrointestinal nematodes. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to sheep farmers across Scotland, and analysis focused on moxidectin use in relation to Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) guidelines. Farmers using moxidectin in their flock volunteered to submit post-treatment sheep faecal samples, which were analysed for the presence of gastrointestinal nematodes using faecal egg counts with polymerase chain reaction to determine species. Results: Despite 70% of farmers using moxidectin in 2020, knowledge levels varied: 24% of farmers included other anthelmintics when asked about moxidectin use. Moxidectin was used for a wide variety of reasons, and most farmers did not consistently follow SCOPS guidelines. Despite only 2 of 76 farmers reporting failure of moxidectin treatment, gastrointestinal nematodes were found following moxidectin treatment on five out of six farms tested and included Teladorsagia circumcincta, Cooperia curticei, Haemonchus contortus and Nematodirus sp. Conclusion: Findings from this project indicate the need for improved anthelmintic product labelling and farmer support to encourage sustainable use. The presence of nematodes in treated animals is suggestive of anthelmintic resistance.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by a KTN/BSAS Steve Bishop Early Career Award to JM. JM and EM were also funded by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) strategic Lola [BB/M003949], and LM by a Teagasc Walsh research scholarship. This research was funded in whole, or in part, by the Wellcome Trust [216614/Z/19/Z].
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McIntyre, Dr Jennifer and Laing, Dr Roz
• Authors: McIntyre, J., Miskell, L., Morgan, E. R., Lovatt, F., and Laing, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Veterinary Record
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0042-4900
• ISSN (Online): 2042-7670
• Published Online: 27 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Veterinary Record 192(2): w2083
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
• Data DOI: 10.5525/gla.researchdata.1240

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190824		The BUG consortium Building Upon the Genome: using H. contortus genomic resources to develop novel interventions to control endemic GI parasites	Eileen Devaney	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)	BB/M003949/1	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine
306505		Hitting a moving target: genomic and metabolic approaches to improve anthelmintic use in evolving helminth populations	Rosalind Laing	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	216614/Z/19/Z	MVLS - Polyomics Facility