VMD to conduct research on anthelmintic prescribing practices

1st September 2026

The Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Evidence team at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is exploring stakeholder perceptions of anthelmintic prescribing and anthelmintic resistance in grazing livestock.

The research will focus on SPQs/RAMAs who prescribe wormers for livestock, specifically sheep and cattle, as well as equines. Interviews will follow a semi-strucured format, enabling participants to discuss their views and experiences in an open and flexible manner.

Participation will involve a one-hour interview, conducted either in person or online via Microsoft Teams. The study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of SQP/RAMA perceptions and experiences of interactions that take place at point of sale of an anthelmintic.

Information gathered though these interviews will be used alongside research conducted before the 2024 amendments to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, which introduced a requirement for SQPs/RAMAs to record the rationale for prescribing veterinary medicines.

The findings will contribute to strengthening best practice and identify areas where additional support, training and/or resources may be beneficial.

To register an interest in taking part in this survey visit https://tinyurl.com/2wmmkpek

Things to do in the summer

Steps you should be taking now to protect your herd

Beef

Anthelmintic treatments can be administered to calves strategically during the first half of the grazing season to counter gut worm infections. The frequency of treatment depends on the persistency of the product used – speak to your vet or SQP about this
Giving an early season de-wormer ensures that few gut worm eggs are shed up to mid-summer, by which time any overwintered gut worm larvae present, will have died
Summer is a good time to use faecal egg counts (FECs) to monitor gut worm infection in first and second season grazing calves. Assess condition and weight and provided nutritional needs are being met, consider further investigation if calves are failing to thrive. If FECs come back positive, but below the 200 eggs/gram threshold for treating, test again in two to three weeks, as FECs can rise quickly in July and August
All-group treatments provide strong selection pressure for anthelmintic resistance. An alternative is to take an evidence-based approach and give anthelmintics on information obtained from growth monitoring and faecal egg count (FEC) analysis. Assess the risk with your vet
Graze youngstock on hay and silage aftermaths as they become available, as these fields will have a low parasite burden.
Where calves are grazing infected pasture and testing indicated a need for treatment, do not move them to new pasture immediately after. If they must be moved, leave 10% of the heaviest stock untreated
If concerned about de-wormer treatment failure, check faecal egg counts 14 days post benzimidazole (1-BZ) or ML (3-ML) treatment. Speak to the vet or SQP about this
Insecticide impregnated ear tags, tail bands, pour-on, spot-on and sprays containing pyrethroids can help reduce fly annoyance
Lungworm is not picked up using faecal egg counting, so it is vital to check calves regularly and to look out for signs of coughing. Contact the vet immediately if any coughing is heard
Early autumn is usually a high-risk period for liver fluke infection. Avoid grazing stock on wet areas that can harbor the intermediate host mud snail
Blood test any lambs on the farm (as sentinels) for liver fluke as they can inform the need for, or timing of cattle treatment

Dairy

Summer is a good time to use faecal egg counts (FECs) to monitor gut worm infection in first and second season grazing calves. Assess condition and weight gain and provided nutritional needs are being met, consider further investigation of calves are failing to thrive. If FECs come back positive, but below the 200 eggs/gram threshold for treating, test again in two to three weeks, as FECs can rise quickly in July and August
Anthelmintic treatments can be administered to calves strategically during the first half of the grazing season to counter gut worm infections. The frequency of treatment depends on the persistency of the product used – speak to your vet or SQP about this
Graze youngstock on hay and silage aftermaths as they become available, as these fields will have a low parasite burden
If concerned about de-wormer treatment failure, check faecal egg counts 14 days post benzimidazole (1-BZ) or macrocyclic lactone (3-ML) treatment. Speak to the vet or SQP about this
Insecticide impregnated ear tags, tail bands, pour-on, spot-on and sprays containing pyrethroids can help reduce fly annoyance
None of the flukicides have zero milk withhold and only a few products are licensed for use in milking animals. Some can be used in the dry period. Refer to VMD Guidance Note for products to use
Lungworm is not picked up using faecal egg counting, so it is vital to check calves regularly and to look out for signs of coughing. Contact the vet immediately if any coughing is heard
Early autumn is usually a high risk period for liver fluke infection. Avoid grazing stock on wet areas that can harbour the intermediate host mud snail
Blood test any lambs on the farm (as sentinels) for liver fluke, as they can inform the need for, or timing of cattle treatment

Resources

Vet, academic or researcher?

Take a look in Resources for more detailed information on all topics.