Treating for Sheep Measles Tapeworm in New Zealand

What Are Sheep Measles? (Taenia ovis)

Sheep measles, caused by the tapeworm Taenia ovis (T Ovis), creates cysts in sheep meat that can make it unsellable. It is not dangerous to humans, but can be passed between dogs and sheep, keeping a cycle of sheep measles on the farm. Dogs can contract the sheep measles tapeworm by ingesting offal of untreated meat, and then act as a primary host of the tapeworm, passing them in their faces which are eaten by sheep. Infected dogs can pass thousands of eggs onto the pasture, which the sheep then ingest them from. 

The most effective and economical method to control sheep measles is regular worming treatment of dogs.  The Farm assurance programme recommends monthly dosing.
For the best advice on tapeworm (cestocidal) treatments, it is recommended that you consult your veterinarian or your animal health advisor.

Treatment Protocols

The recommended treatment for Sheep measles tapeworms for dogs on farm is a monthly regime, consisting of an alternating pattern of All-wormer tablets and praziquantel tablets. 

• Praziquantel Tablets: Specifically target tapeworms and should be administered monthly. Examples include Droncit and Wormicide.
• All-Wormer Tablets: These target a broader spectrum of parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Examples include Drontal Allwormer and Milbemax. Main ingredients typically include praziquantel as well as other working treatments such as 
  
  

Dosing Recommendations & Frequency

Farm Dogs: Monthly dosing with Praziquantel is recommended because the prepatent period of T. ovis is 35 days. Quarterly dosing leaves a window where dogs can shed tapeworm eggs, potentially spreading the infection. For the best results, a combination of All Wormer and Praziquantel tablets should be used as follows:

• Month 1: All Wormer (AW)
• Month 2: Praziquantel (P)
• Month 3: Praziquantel (P)
• Repeat the cycle for continuous protection.

Treatment Calender Example:

AW = ‘All Wormer’
P = Praziquantel only treatment

Pet Dogs: It’s important that pet dogs on a farm should also be treated as above, as they are found to often carry sheep measles as they often have access to the property and household scraps.

Pet Dogs (no farm exposure): It’s recommended to discuss your necessary worm treatment regime with your vet based on their risk factor. Most urban pet dogs are recommended to use an all-wormer every 3 months.

Untreated, Exposed Dogs: Any dogs NOT on a regular dosing regime that are accidentally exposed to untreated sheep meat, should be treated approximately 48 or 72 hours later with a Praziquantel treatment.

New Dogs to a Farm: All new dogs should be dosed at least 48 hours before coming onto the property. If NEW dogs enter the property without being treated beforehand, they should be dosed, and quarantined for 3-4 days and all faeces destroyed. (Treating kills any worms present in approximately 10 hours but does not kill the eggs left in the intestine)

Dose Rate

Worming treatments have a different rate due to other drugs that are part of them. Check package labelling to confirm the amount of Praziquantel in the tablet.

Praziquantel Only Treatments:

Droncit tablets contain 50 mg of Praziquantel per tablet. This allows one tablet per 20kg of dog body weight.

Some Droncit tablets come foil-wrapped showing a dose rate of 1 Tablet per 10kg of dog body weight, however, these are for countries that have not yet got rid of Hydatids.  For New Zealand, you can safely allow one tablet per 20kg.

Wormicide tablets contain 100mg of Praziquantel so can be used at one tablet per 40kg of dog body weight.

Accurate dosing is recommended as under-dosing will NOT kill the tapeworms in the dog’s intestine.

All Wormers:

All-wormers are typically dosed by specific weight ranges, and multiple tablets can be combined to achieve the correct dose for larger dogs. The following products treat for Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, and Tapeworms (including Hydatid Tapeworm).

Drontal: Active Ingredients: Febantel, Pyrantel Embonate, Praziquantel.
Available Sizes:

• Up to 10kg: 1 tablet treats dogs up to 10kg
• Up to 35kg: For dogs up to 35kg.

Endogard: Active Ingredients: Praziquantel and Oxibendazole.
Available Sizes:

• Cat & Small Dog: Treats up to 5kg.
• Medium Dog: Treats up to 10kg.
• Large Dog: Treats up to 20kg.
• XL Dog: Treats up to 35kg.

Milpro: Active Ingredients: Milbemycin and Praziquantel.
Available Sizes:

• Small Dogs & Puppies: Treats up to 5kg.
• Large Dogs: Treats up to 25kg.

Popantel: Active Ingredients: Febantel, Pyrantel, and Praziquantel.
Available Sizes:

• Dogs (<10kg): Treats up to 10kg.
• Large Dogs (<35kg): Treats up to 35kg.

Are there spot-on/topical worming options available?

Currently, no all-wormer products are available in a topical form for dogs in New Zealand. However, some combination treatments that cover gastrointestinal worms along with fleas and mites are available, such as Nexgard Spectra, Simparica Trio, and Advocate. These products do not cover tapeworms.

Safe Feeding Practices:

• Offal: Dogs should not be fed offal. When feeding offal to dogs, ensure it is properly treated to reduce risks.
• Feeding Meat: Freezing or cooking sheep and goat meat is a safer option to help protect against tapeworms.
• Minimize scavenging: To avoid unintended exposure, dogs’ access to carcasses and scraps should be avoided
• Commercial dog food: Using commercial dog food is a convenient and low-risk alternative for feeding.
  
  

Additional Considerations:

• Appoint a responsible person for dog treatments.
• Include all pet dogs in the treatment program.
• Maintain alternative dog foods like commercially prepared foods in case of emergencies.
• Follow strict meat treatment protocols, ensuring proper freezing or cooking of sheep meat before feeding it to dogs.

For more detailed information, farmers are encouraged to consult their veterinarian or visit the Ovis Management Limited website at sheepmeasles.co.nz.

The New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP) Handbook is a guide that helps farmers meet essential standards for producing high-quality, sustainable, and ethically raised livestock products. It ensures that New Zealand’s red meat sector follows globally recognized practices. The handbook covers six key areas, which farmers must comply with to achieve and maintain NZFAP certification. Ovis management and worming treatments of dogs is included.