Eleanor L. Kharasch, a student research fellow at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, led a study revealing widespread parasite resistance to fenbendazole in sheep and goats across southern New England.
Published in Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, the research found that 12.7% of animals responded successfully to treatment, while 87% failed to meet efficacy standards and over one-third showed increased parasite counts after dosing. Conducted across 19 farms, the study also found that animal movement between farms had no effect on drug performance, and that early-summer fecal testing provides more accurate parasite detection than spring sampling.
According to the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, the results can guide more effective parasite management, reduce unnecessary treatments and help farmers nationwide make better control decisions.
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