A SURVEY OF ANTHELMINTIC EFFICACY IN DAIRY GOAT FARMS IN SOUTH-EAST FRANCE

Abstract

Goat’s milk production is an important activity in France. Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) remain a main threat for grazing goats, usually controlled using anthelmintic drugs (AH). However, 1) eprinomectin (EPN) is the sole molecule yet available without withdrawal time for milk in France; 2) nematodes AH resistances increase dramatically. First, a survey was performed on 13 farms in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA) region to evaluate the efficacy of 2 AH authorized for dairy goats: a benzimidazole (BZ) and a macrocyclic lactone (EPN pour-on). Fecal Egg Count Reduction Tests (FECRT) were carried out using 3 groups of 10 goats per farm: a control group, one treated with BZ (oxfendazole) and one treated with EPN. The results indicate a resistance to BZ in 11 out of 13 farms (84.6%) and a lack of efficacy for EPN pour-on in at least 10 farms (76.9%). Secondly, EPN was given orally or subcutaneously in 4 farms of the previous trial showing a lack of efficacy to EPN pour-on. A resistance to EPN was confirmed in 3 out of 4 farms. Although based on a few farms, these results confirm the high prevalence of resistance of GIN to BZ in dairy goat farms. They also highlight a high level of resistance to EPN and the lack of efficacy of EPN when used pour-on. Given the level of resistance to marketed drugs, there is an urgent need to explore alternative options to AH to prepare integrated, sustainable control of GIN.