AS sheep farmers know only too well, worms are ever present. Despite their best efforts, it’s important to be vigilant, take preventative action, and be on the lookout for new ways to treat an age-old and persistent problem.

The Parashield Program™ dual sheep wormer approach to improving the effectiveness of internal worm treatment and control, is the first strategy of its type from a veterinary chemical company.

The oral drenching strength of 3PEAT™ is combined with the injectable staying-power of MOXXI™ LA to ensure that sheep are treated and protected immediately on application, and for up to 13 weeks after dosing.

Developed by Abbey Animal Health, an 100% Australian owned and operated company that manufactures a range of products for the sheep industry, this innovation is the latest program to help producers manage their sheep worm challenges.

Abbey Animal Health was established in 2013 by Mick Findlay, a dedicated producer, knowledgeable in agricultural science, animal/livestock husbandry and with production credentials and several decades of hands-on experience on the land. Abbey Animal Health prides itself on their homegrown Australian roots and is committed to providing first-class solutions to improve animal welfare.

Mick has successfully used the Parashield Program™ on his own sheep farm. Combining two proven sheep worm treatments (3PEAT™ Oral Sheep Drench & Moxxi™ LA) helps deliver immediate knock-down and long-term effectiveness in the one process. It helps ensure the mob is protected and worms are controlled, faster and for longer, saving sheep producers both time and money. Indeed, recent 3PEAT™ field trials shows that it is 97.8% effective against sheep worms. (1)

Now let’s look in detail at the two products that make up this new Parashield Program™ dual-parasiticide approach.

3PEAT™ oral sheep drench – with the added benefit of 4 mineral supplements!

3PEAT™ is a triple actives combination fast-acting oral drench for sheep, containing three actives, Levamisole, Abamectin and Albendazole, known to be effective in treating and controlling internal worms. It’s worth noting that 3PEAT™ also contains the added benefit of four minerals, Cobalt (0.21g/L), Iodine (0.76g/L), Selenium (0.5g/L) and Zinc (0.6g/L), which are essential for the synthesis of vitamins and key enzymes involved in multiple metabolic and immunological processes. Because there are known deficiencies of these elements in the ancient soils of many parts of Australia, these mineral supplements ensure peak general and reproductive health of sheep as well as optimal wool production and quality. Furthermore, it’s the only triple actives oral sheep drench with four supplements in the formulation.

Plus

MOXXI™ LA – the injection for long-lasting parasiticide protection

MOXXI™ LA’s proven long-acting injection for sheep is ideal for treating and controlling roundworms, nasal bot and itchmite. It’s safe to use concurrently with other treatments, including 3PEAT™ oral sheep drench. It helps prevent reinfection of sheep with Brown stomach worm (Teladorsagia circumcincta) for no less than 91 days and up to 49 days for Trichostrongylus spp. (Black scour worm) Trichostrongylus colubriformis. It also provides up to three months’ protection against the severe challenges of Barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus).

Combined efficacy

Next, we’ll cover the combined efficacy spectrum of 3PEAT™ and MOXXI™ LA.

Used in combination, these two treatments are designed for the effective treatment and control of mature and immature stages of susceptible strains across all major sheep internal and external parasites, particularly the key sheep worms such Barber’s pole worm:

Haemonchus contortus (including inhibited L4 stages), Small brown stomach worm: Telodorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta (including inhibited L4 stages), Telodorsagia (Ostertagia) spp., Ostertagia lyrate, Ostertagia trifucata, Stomach hair worm: Trichostrongylus axei, Black scour worm: Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, Trichostrongylus rugatus, Trichostrongylus spp. Small intestinal hairworm: Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia curticei, Cooperia spp, Intestinal threadworm: Strongyloides papillosus through to Itchmite: Psorergates ovis, Nasal Bot: Oestrs ovis (parasitic larval stages only), Thin necked intestinal worm: Nematodirus spp, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus spathiger, Nematodirus abnormalis, Nematodirus helvetianus, Large mouthed bowel worm: Chabertia ovina, Large bowel worm: Oesophagostomum venulosum, Nodule worm: Oesophagostomum columbianum, Large lungworm: Dictyocaulus filaria, Whipworm: Trichuris ovis.

Now we’ll outline the actives and modes of action of each of the two treatments.

3PEAT™

Active constituents: 34g/L Levamisole (equivalent to 40g/L Levamisole hydrochloride), 25g/L Albendazole, 1g/L Abamectin,0.21g/L Cobalt (as Cobalt Sulphate Heptahydrate), 0.76g/L Iodine (as EDDI stabilised), 0.5g/L Selenium (as Sodium Selenate) and 0.6g/L Zinc (as Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate).

Withholding periods:

MOXXI™ LA

Active constituent: 20 g/L Moxidectin.

Withholding periods:

5 key benefits of the Abbey Animal Health Parashield Program™

• The three anthelmintics in 3PEAT™ namely Levamisole, Albendazole and Abamectin, and the anthelmintic Moxidectin in MOXXI™ LA are extensively researched, well tolerated and effective for the treatment and control of external parasites and gastro-intestinal worms in sheep.
• Levamisole hydrochloride is a member of the imidazothiazole class of anthelmintics, while albendazole is a member of the benzimidazole class of anthelmintics. In contrast, Abamectin and Moxidectin are members of the macrocyclic lactone (ML) class of anthelmintics.
• The combination of Levamisole hydrochloride (40g/L), Albendazole (25g/L) and Abamectin (1g/L) in 3PEAT™ when administered orally at the recommended dose rate (1mL/5kg) in sheep across NSW, Victoria and South Australia, is ≥ 99.7% effective in the treatment and control of susceptible worms directly following administration and up to 97.8% effective over the first 14 days post administration.(2)
• MOXXI™ LA (Long acting; 20g/L of Moxidectin) is an injectable anthelmintic and when used at the recommended dose rate (1mg/kg or 1mL/20kg) in sheep is safe and effective for the treatment and control of endo- and ecto parasites for at least 13 weeks.(3)
• The high safety margins, ease of use and known combinability of the anthelmintics used in 3PEAT™ and MOXXI™ LA, a more broad-spectrum, immediately effective and longer-lasting approach to sheep parasite treatment and control is achieved using the simultaneous application of both these anthelmintic products. Alongside strategic pasture management, knowledge of seasonal factors, regular faecal egg count reduction testing and rotation of anthelmintic classes, this approach may offer sheep farmers greater flexibility and control of parasites in sheep while minimising the significant problem of future anthelmintic resistance.

Abbey Animal Health recommend that sheep producers implement the Parashield Program™ on their farms at the pre-lambing stage and the weaning stage, to obtain the maximum benefit.

The two Parashield Program™ products used in combination (3PEAT™ and MOXXI™ LA) are available exclusively from local independent rural stores. If you have any questions on using them together, speak with your local stockist. You can also email Abbey Animal Health at [email protected] or call them on (02) 8088 0720. Their website is https://abbeylabs.com.au/

Sources:

1. 1. Based on sheep faecal egg/larvae count field trials after using 3PEAT™ – Research data on file.
   2. 3PEAT™ field trials conducted by Abbey Animal Health – Research data on file.
   3. Abbey Animal Health MOXXI™ Long Acting injection for sheep (20g/L); Protection period of 91 days for O. circumscripta, 4 months for H. contortus and 49 days for T. colubriformis.

Note:

Parashield Program™, 3PEAT™, and MOXXI™ LA are registered trademarks of Abbey Labs and Abbey Animal Health Pty Ltd.