A suite of free resources to support veterinary teams in delivering responsible, risk-based parasiticide prescribing for dogs and cats has been launched by environmental group Vet Sustain. 

Evidence summaries, a team meeting template to guide discussions of the issues and a ‘questions hub’ are among the resources that the group has made available via its website. 

There are also parasite risk assessment flow charts designed to help gauge the risk for individual dogs and cats. 

Topical questions from UK small animal practice that are addressed in the questions hub include: 

• Are systemic ectoparasiticides (eg, isoxazolines) more environmentally friendly than topicals (eg, fipronil and imidacloprid)?
• What does a risk-based approach to parasite control look like in practice?
• How common are parasites in UK pets, and what are the key risk factors?
• Which diagnostic tests are most useful for screening and monitoring? 

Nicole Dyer, chair of the Vet Sustain working group behind the initiative, said: ‘Veterinary professionals want practical ways to follow responsible prescribing and balance parasite control with environmental stewardship.  

‘These resources use the latest evidence to support vets in practice on how to integrate this approach into everyday decision-making and aim to help teams tailor parasite control to each animal’s lifestyle and risk while also safeguarding ecosystems.’ 

She added: ‘As a profession, we have a duty not only to protect the health and welfare of the animals in our care, but also to safeguard the environment we all share.’ 
 
Concern about the ecological impact of parasiticides has been mounting amid a growing body of evidence of the presence of veterinary ectoparasiticide components fipronil and imidacloprid in waterways.  

Earlier this year Vet Record reported that WildFish, a charity that seeks to conserve fish populations, was considering launching a legal challenge against the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, claiming it was not dealing effectively with the issue of parasiticides.

The BVA has said vets should adopt a risk-based approach to prescribing all medicines, including parasiticides.  

Vet Sustain said parasiticides played a ‘vital role in safeguarding the health and welfare of companion animals, but increasing evidence shows that these medicines can have harmful effects on biodiversity, water quality and wider ecosystems if used inappropriately’.  

The resources can be accessed here.