Animal Health

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) can cause significant economic losses in alpacas due to lowered production of fibre and meat. Although no anthelmintics are registered for use in alpacas, various classes of anthelmintics are frequently used to control parasitic gastroenteritis in alpacas in Australia and other countries. Very little is known about the current worm control practices as well as the efficacy of anthelmintics used against common GINs of alpacas. This study aimed to assess the existing worm control practices used by Australian alpaca farmers and to quantify the efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics against GINs of alpacas. more »

Scientists from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine evaluated 32 privately owned camelid (16 alpaca and 16 llama) farms in the southeastern United States to determine if anthelmintic (dewormer) resistance was evident in the Haemonchus contortus (barberpole worm) populations on these farms. more »