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Testing guidance reissued after wormer resistance reports
“The best approach to prevent wormer resistance is to evaluate and implement improved pasture management” – Prof Jacqui Matthews.
Treatment failure reported for praziquantel and pyrantel.

Following reports that equine tapeworm drugs may be losing efficacy, Austin Davis Biologics (ABD) has reissued its guidance on the use of EQuiSal salvia testing for informing tapeworm control.

A recently published study from the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky found evidence of treatment failure of praziquantel and pyrantel, the only two drugs licensed in the UK for tapeworm control in horses.

Responding to this development, ABD is emphasising that owners should not repeatedly test and treat for tapeworm without evaluating management, as this could lead to resistance.

Professor Jacqui Matthews, director of veterinary science at ADB, said: “In horses that report with a borderline or moderate/high saliva score, their management should be evaluated to determine what improvements could be made to help prevent tapeworm reinfection from the pasture.

“As part of this evaluation, a follow up test can be performed three months after treatment to provide information on whether or not reinfection is occurring.”

In cases when horses test positive in the follow up test, Prof Matthews said: “Improvements in pasture management should be undertaken, and/or a tapeworm treatment considered where appropriate, to prevent further grazing contamination with tapeworm eggs.

“All co-grazing horses should be tested at the same time in case they act as a continued source of tapeworm eggs. The best approach to prevent wormer resistance is to evaluate and implement improved pasture management to move to a situation where recurring reinfection is considerably reduced.”

ABD suggests that when saliva scores stay high despite taking the suggested measures, anthelmintic resistance should be considered a possibility. In such cases, the company recommends that owners seek advice from their veterinary surgeon.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."