_1712037775 20240402060255000 Rovedar Daryoushbabazadeh@gmail.com Rovedar Farm Animal Health and Nutrition Farm Anim. Health Nutr. 2980-7905 03 25 2024 3 1 Alice N. Mushonga Soul Washaya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1866-8987 Godfrey B Nyamushamba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6509-1041 Introduction: Sheep play a crucial role in enhancing the socio-economic welfare of individuals in numerous nations. Within sub-Saharan Africa, productivity levels are hindered by various factors, such as prevalent diseases, inadequate nutrition, climate variations, predators, severe weather, as well as infestations of both external and internal parasites. The purpose of the present study was to assess the extent of anthelmintic resistance (AR) observed on a sheep farm operating for commercial purposes in Zimbabwe. Materials and methods: Forty female weaner Dorper sheep, averaging 43 kg in body weight, were selected from Ballineety commercial sheep farm in Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. These sheep were then divided into four groups of ten each, receiving different treatments including ivermectin, albendazole, levamisole, and no treatment as a control. Each treatment was administered according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Pre-treatment faecal samples (day zero) and post-treatment (day 14) were collected and subjected to the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT).  Anthelminthic resistance was suggested (AR) by the presence of faecal eggs after treatment. Results: All the drugs indicated a decrease in egg counts by less than 90%. The effectiveness of ivermectin, albendazole, and levamisole was measured at 58.5%, 70.1%, and 85.8% respectively. These findings indicate that nematodes have developed resistance to all treatments. The larval cultures of the samples before and after treatment indicated a significant presence of Haemonchus spp. in the pooled samples. In contrast, the quantities of Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. were low but present in all treatments. Cooperia spp. was recovered in post-treatment larval cultures of groups that received anthelmintic. The present study reports lower-than-expected efficacy for ivermectin, albendazole, and levamisole based on the reduction of egg excreted post-treatment. Conclusion: A common worms population in sheep are AR in the current study area. Therefore, comprehensive nematode management programs along with complementary eradication strategies are essential for sustainable sheep production.        03 25 2024 22 27 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 10.58803/fahn.v3i1.39 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/view/39 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/download/39/60 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/download/39/60 10.1186/s13071-015-1164-z 10.17533/udea.vitae.v28n1a345215 10.1038/s41598-021-88501-3 10.3923/javaa.2010.2905.2911 10.4314/ijbcs.v12i1.41 Mthi S, Rust JM, Mpendulo CT, Muchenje V, Goosen WJ, and Mbathsa Z. Basic factors influencing lamb mortality under low input production systems in the Eastern Cape Province , South Africa. S Afr J Anim Sci. 2020; 1(13): 60-68. Available at: https://www.sasas.co.za/ AAH&RD/basic-factors-influencing-lamb-mortality-under-low-input-production-systems-in-the-eastern-cape-province-south-africa/ 10.1017/S175173111600152X 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.09.007 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.04.002 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2015.08.001 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.11.004 10.1186/s12917-021-02819-8 10.2147/IDR.S332378 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.06.002 10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.12.001 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.11.019 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.06.011 Comabting anthelminthic resistance in ruminants (COMBAR). Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) protocol Gastrointestinal nematodes - sheep and goats. 2021. p. 1-5. Available at: https://www.combar-ca.eu/sites/default/files/FECRT_PROTOCOL_sheep_goats_March%202021.pdf Friedhoff KT. Manual of veterinary parasitological laboratory techniques: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Agricultural Development and Advisory Service. Technical Bulletin No. 18. 2nd ed. 1977. p. 16. 10.1016/0304-4017(92)90141-U 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009076 10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.11.012 Spss Inc. SPSS Trends 24. 2021. 10.1186/s13028-021-00569-z 10.21203/rs.2.13752/v2 10.1016/S0304-4017(03)00213-9 10.1186/s13071-017-2131-7 10.1007/s00436-012-2817-x 10.3390/pathogens11090955 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.04.004