CANTER Cross-sector Guidelines for Prescribers Launched
01 January 0001
Key principles to support vets, pharmacists and SQPs
CANTER rolls out first cross-sector guidelines for prescribers on equine worm control to tackle increasing wormer resistance
The unique cross-sector group CANTER (Controlling ANTiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly) launches its first set of guidelines for worm control in UK horses this week. This crucial document sets out key principles to support vets, pharmacists and SQPs in their prescribing decisions and in recommending sustainable strategies for parasite control to their equine clients. Written by vets, parasitologists and other experts in the field, these guidelines were formally introduced by CANTER chair, Alison Pyatt, at the Equine Infectious Disease meeting on 3 October 2024.
Commenting on the launch of the Guidelines, CANTER chair and Veterinary Medicines Directorate International Programme Manager, Dr Alison Pyatt said:
““Publishing the first edition of these industry-agreed guidelines is a seminal moment in the life of CANTER and our work to address the very real threat posed by anthelmintic resistance. To achieve industry-wide consensus on such a complex and important area of equine health is hugely rewarding. We draw collaborative expertise from international authorities on equine health and parasitology to promote a consistency in approach across prescriber groups that has never been done before. Our intention is for them to be a free, easily accessible, live resource that underpins our first aim, to support prescribers with practical, evidence-based principles to slow wormer resistance.
“Moving to non-chemical management strategies and utilising monitoring tools to inform the need to treat is the only way we will maintain the efficacy of our limited treatments and safeguard horse health into the future. The CANTER Guidelines offer a comprehensive resource to inform the decision-making process and underpin the advice given at the point of prescribing to promote this behaviour change. We encourage prescribers to read them, refer to them and reference them in their practice.”
The significance of these guidelines and the need for change cannot be underplayed. World Horse Welfare’s Chief Executive, Roly Owers MRCVS commented:
“Antiparasitic resistance is a critical and growing threat to equine health and welfare so the publication of the CANTER Guidelines as key principles for equine parasite control is a huge step forward in tackling this crisis. We have no doubt that the much-anticipated publication of the guidelines will be essential in promoting clarity and consistency in the approach to sustainable equine parasite control.”
The CANTER Guidelines are available now on the CANTER website at www.canterforhorses.org.uk.
The message is clear; repeated blanket treatments select for drug resistant worms are no longer recommended. Instead, prescribers are encouraged to:
- · Apply pasture and horse management strategies to reduce parasite infection in the environment and break worm transmission cycles.
- · Use monitoring tools such as worm egg counts to inform the need to treat individuals shedding higher levels of eggs and monitor for resistance
- · Apply a risk-based approach to estimate parasite transmission potential in individual horses.
The guidelines are initially developed for prescribers of equine wormers in the UK (veterinary surgeons, Suitably Qualified Persons, veterinary pharmacists). The group’s next priority is to develop a range of resources for the horse owner.
ENDS
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Press Information
Additional quotes from representatives from across the sectors involved in CANTER can be found at: https://canterforhorses.org.uk/representatives/
Images
High Resolution images are available to download from the CANTER website:
The CANTER Guidelines front cover. http://canterforhorses.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CANTER-guidelines-front-cover.png
CANTER Chair Alison Pyatt who officially launched the Guidelines at the Equine Infectious Disease meeting on 3 October 2024: http://canterforhorses.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CANTER-Chair-Alison-Pyatt1.png
Spokesperson Roly Owers who understands the potential welfare implications of wormer resistance: http://canterforhorses.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Roly-Owers-WHW.jpg
About CANTER
Controlling ANTiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly (CANTER) is a UK voluntary pan-industry group established in 2022 to lead a coordinated approach to tackle the critical issue of antiparasitic resistance in equine parasites. It recognises that the development of industry-agreed guidelines is essential to promote consistency in
approach to parasite control across all prescriber groups (veterinary surgeons, suitably qualified persons (SQPs) and pharmacists) and to work towards the goal of sustainable equine parasite control.
CANTER brings together voluntary representation from across the equine sector, including parasitology experts, veterinary surgeons, diagnostics companies, charity, horse owner and trade organisations, policymakers and animal health companies.