Veterinary practitioners' perspectives on pasture-transmitted parasites in Norwegian sheep and cattle: A questionnaire-based study.

Abstract

In combatting the negative impact exerted by pasture-transmitted parasites on grazing livestock, pharmaceutical control has become the cornerstone globally. However, the emergence of anthelmintic and anticoccidial drug-resistant parasites necessitates prudent use of antiparasitic drugs. Therefore, treatment decisions should be informed by diagnostic results rather than habit and should include actions that minimize the development of drug resistance. Veterinarians play a key role in such situations, with the ability to influence control strategies. For full leverage of this role, a better understanding of the veterinarians' perspectives is needed. To gather information on these perspectives among veterinarians, a web-based questionnaire was distributed to Norwegian veterinarians. The response rate was 30% (282/945), resulting in a study sample of 240 livestock veterinarians. The respondents reported that disease caused by Eimeria spp., gastrointestinal nematodes and Fasciola hepatica occur more often and with greater severity in sheep flocks than cattle herds. Notable regional differences were reported; with highest impact most often reported from western Norway. The decision to use anthelmintics was reported to be largely influenced by past and present clinical presentation in the herd, as well as pasture-related factors, whereas diagnostic tools were reported to have less influence. Faecal egg counts were used infrequently, apparently due to economic and practical constraints.