Novartis Animal Health has launched 'The Wormer Decision Tree',  an online tool to help veterinary surgeons in giving sheep farmers the most up-to-date advice about worming.

Lesley Stubbings, SCOPS representative and Independent Sheep Consultant said: “Choosing the right wormer group is hugely important and there remains much confusion especially when it comes to anthelmintic resistance.

“Worms, including resistant and multi-resistant species, are threatening the productivity of sheep farms. However with a well-thought-out worming strategy that uses both the new wormer groups, in association with existing wormers, it is possible to slow resistance.”

Results of the Farming Against Wormer Resistance (FAWR) campaign survey, conducted in 2013, revealed growing concern about wormer resistance among farmers - but confusion about the best course of action to take.

Fiona Anderson, Novartis Animal Health Veterinary Manager said: "This tool has been developed adhering to SCOPS principles and is designed to ensure a consistent responsible approach is used when prescribing anthelmintics. 

"Available only to SQPs and vets, it will be a valuable tool to train new staff and use with farmers, to explain which of the five drench classes are appropriate for particular sheep groups at specific times of year."

The Novartis Wormer Decision Tree asks three key questions: the type of sheep being dosed, the purpose of the dose, and the farm's resistance status. It then produces a recommendation of the required active ingredient, along with more detailed information to support the recommendation. There is also a calculator which provides a dose rate and cost per dose based upon the recommendation.

To use the decision tree, you must first register on the Novartis Farm Animal Health website: www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk. Then head here: www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk/wormerdecisiontree

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