Detection of Multiple Anthelmintic Resistance in Unorganized Goat Farms

Two unorganized goat farms from the dry sub-humid zone of Sirsa, Haryana were surveyed to determine the efficacy of fenbendazole, closantel, and ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes using the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). A total of 120 goats, 60 each from Bhawdin (BV) and Rattakhera (RV) villages, with a minimum of 150 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces, were selected. Animals were divided into four groups of 15 goats each per farm. Groups B1 and R1 were treated with fenbendazole @ 10 mg/kg b.wt. orally, groups B2 and R2 with closantel @ 20 mg/kg b.wt. orally, groups B3 and R3 with ivermectin @ 0.4 mg/kg b.wt., subcutaneous, while groups B4 and R4 served as untreated controls. Faecal samples were collected on day 0 and day 14 post-treatment, and egg counts were determined using the Modified McMaster technique. Percent reduction in faecal egg counts in BV was 62.02, 88.03, and 75.50 for fenbendazole, closantel, and ivermectin, respectively, while in RV it was 55.21, 84.84, and 87.07. Post-treatment coproculture revealed predominance of Haemonchus contortus larvae in both farms. The findings confirm the presence of multiple anthelmintic resistance, with fenbendazole showing moderate resistance and closantel and ivermectin exhibiting reduced efficacy. This highlights the urgent need for regular monitoring, strategic drug rotation, and judicious use of anthelmintics to sustain effective parasite control in goat farms of Sirsa, Haryana.