Anthelmintic resistance in small ruminant nematodes in Norway

Gastrointestinal nematode infestation is considered as the most important of all infectious diseases in small ruminants. Losses due to endoparasites, and the degree of suffering involved, has a marked impact on animal welfare and production losses in smal l ruminant flocks around the world. In the years to come, ruminants in Europe will face an expanding grazing time with increased exposure to pasture parasites. The development of anthelmintic resistance poses very large threats to the future welfare and p roduction of grazing animals. Information about the dispersal of endoparasites and treatment regimes is crucial in order to slow down the development of parasitic resistance. However, little is known about these factors in Norway. The main objective of th e proposed projects is to improve our knowledge about the anthelmintic resistance in small ruminant nematodes in Norwegian flocks in order to improve the animal welfare on pasture and prevent future economic losses. More specifically we want to investigat e the geographical distribution of these parasites in sheep and goat flocks in Norway, investigate the parasite treatment procedures and investigate the distribution and occurrence of anthelmintic resistance in our country.