Drench groups and actives

WormBoss worm control program for goats

NSW northeast and Qld granite belt

When using anthelmintic products in goats, a veterinary prescription is often required because:

Goats require a different dose rate and withholding period than specified on most products, even for many registered goat drenches.
Most sheep drenches are useful, but not registered for use in goats.

While cattle drenches can be used at the label rates on goats in South Australia and sheep drenches on goats in Victoria, a veterinary prescription is still required for dose rates recommended for goats.

Drench groups and actives for goats

(Click here to search the drench database)

Drench groups and actives	Worms	*Examples of brand names/comments**
BZ or benzimidazole group (‘white’)^B albendazole fenbendazole oxfendazole	barber’s pole worm, ‘scour worms’, adult liver fluke, nodule worm, aids control of intestinal tapeworm (Moniezia)	Alben, Valbazen, WSD Albendazole (albendazole) Beezed, Fenbender 25, Panacur 25, (fenbendazole) Beezed LV, Oxfen LV (oxfendazole)
LV or levamisole group (‘clear’)^B morantel levamisole	barber’s pole worm, ‘scour worms’, nodule worm	Oralject (morantel citrate) None registered (levamisole)
ML or macrocyclic lactone group^B (sometimes called ‘mectins’) Ivermectin abamectin moxidectin	barber’s pole worm, ‘scour worms’, nodule worm	None registered (ivermectin) Caprimec (abamectin) None registered (moxidectin)
AD or amino-acetonitrile derivative group^B monepantel	barber’s pole worm, ‘scour worms’	None registered
SI or spiroindole group^M derquantel	barber’s pole worm, ‘scour worms’, nodule worm	None registered
OP or organophosphate group^M naphthalophos (NAP) (OPs have lower or variable efficacy against ‘scour worms’ in the upper GIT and immature barber’s pole worm)	barber’s pole worm, 'scour worms’	None registered
TZ or benzimidazole group (flukicide)^N triclabendazole	Liver fluke (all stages); not effective against round worms	Flukare C
SA or salicylanilides/phenols group^N closantel	Liver fluke (> 9 weeks and adult) and barber’s pole worm	None registered
IQ or isoquinolone group^N praziquantel	Intestinal tapeworm (Moniezia)	None registered

*These are all of the commercial anthelmintics registered and commercially available for goats at August 2016. In most states of Australia, sheep drenches can be used in goats with an off-label veterinary prescription.

Breadth of activity across different worm species: ^BBroad-spectrum; ^MMid-spectrum; ^NNarrow-spectrum

Actives: An ‘active’ is the chemical in a drench responsible for killing worms. Some drenches have more than one active and are called ‘multi-active’ or ‘combination’ drenches.

Combination or multi-active treatments: Proprietary treatments containing more than one active. Formulated to be compatible as a mixture. Note: Do not mix your own drenches unless the labels state that you can.

Product formulation: All single actives are available as oral drenches. Moxidectin is also available in injectable products. Moxidectin is not registered for use in goats and an off-label prescription is required from your veterinarian. Pour-on products should not be used in goats for worm control.

Length of protection: Varies from short-acting (‘knock-down’ that kills susceptible worms within the animal) to mid-length (1–6 weeks) and long-acting (approx. 3 months), which not only kill susceptible worms already in the animals, but also infective larvae that the goats eat during the protection period.

‘Scour worms’: Mainly black scour worm and (small) brown stomach worm, but also others.

Label: Check product labels for full details. Follow the label or veterinarian’s instructions.

Using sheep drenches in goats: Veterinarians can prescribe sheep drenches for goats, but must provide written details of withholding periods and dose rates.

Other parasites: ‘Drenches’ shows effectiveness of groups against other parasites of minor importance.

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