Levamisole resistance to a strongyle population in a smallholder goat farm in Malaysia

The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was conducted on local goats in a smallholder farm on the outskirts of Ipoh. Levamisole drug tested for resistance against strongyles, was administered orally at the rate of 10 mg/kg body weight. Results showed that the strongyle worm population was resistant to levamisole. The percentage reduction was 75% and lower confidence limit less than 90%. The worm population was made up mainly of Haemonchus contortus (71%), followed by Oesophagostomum sp. (18%) and Trichostrongylus sp. (11%). This finding indicates that anthelmintic resistance is an existing problem in Malaysia, even on a small farm. Alternative approaches to chemical anthelmintics have been recommended to control nematodes in goats such as improved grazing management, herbal medication or biological control, to delay the occurrence of chemical resistance and prevent severe helminth infections in goat flocks