Studies on endoparasitic infection in sheep flocks in Sachsen-Anhalt

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of endoparasitic infections in sheep in Sachsen-Anhalt. The study was conducted in 40 flocks , comprising 500 to 1000 ewes, from May to August 1999. Before anthelmintic treatment 4 faecal samples were taken from each flock and a semi-quantitat ive evaluation of worm infection was carried out. In 30 flocks tests of the treatment were made 7-10 days after de-worming. The prevalence of infectio n in the flocks was 100% for stomach worms, 50% for tapeworms and 15% for l ungworms. The therapy resulted in only an 80% affect with benzimidasole. Th e relatively insufficient efficacy of this treatment was attributed to resi stance of the endoparasites to this treatment and to deficiencies in the ma nagement of anthelmintic treatment.