Monitoring internal parasite resistance to anthelmintics is a critical welfare and sustainability challenge in sheep farming, requiring strategic testing to preserve treatment efficacy.
Internal parasite burden causes significant welfare harm through anaemia, protein loss, diarrhoea, and reduced growth. Treatment failure due to undetected resistance leaves sheep suffering from parasite burdens that were believed to be controlled. Regular FECRT monitoring identifies resistance early, enabling alternative treatment strategy before welfare is severely compromised. Refugia management preserves the long-term efficacy of remaining effective anthelmintics.