Worming Certificates - Dosing for Sheep Measles

Competing and non-competing dogs must be dosed for Sheep Measles before arrival at the trial grounds.

Dogs without proof of dosing will not be permitted to compete or be released on the trialling property. Trial secretaries will check dosing certificates.

  • The worming certificate is to prove that your dog has been dosed more than 48 hours prior to entering a farm, but not greater than 30 days.
  • The sheep measles tapeworm develops to maturity at approximately 35 days, this is when the tapeworm can produce eggs, these eggs are expelled with the dog’s droppings. Sheep/goats then ingest the eggs while grazing the pasture and then develop cysts in the muscle tissue.
  • Sheep measles (Cysticercus ovis) are small cysts found in the muscle tissue of infected sheep and goat meat. Sheep measles does not have any adverse effect on human health, BUT the customer is averse to the presence of the cysts & it is deemed a quality defect, resulting in a financial impact on the farmer. The dog is part of the sheep measles life cycle. The Clubs have a responsibility to ensure our dog trials do not present any risk of introducing sheep measles, by ensuring all dogs have a current and appropriate Worming Certificate.
  • Dosing for sheep measles with any Vet supplied product is only valid for one month –the life cycle of the sheep measles tape worm notes that the tape worm matures in approximately 35 days – the worm needs to be killed prior to maturity to stop the spread of eggs – to stop the cycle.
  • Broad spectrum worming products from the Vet, such as Drontal, target a wide variety of worms that may affect dogs. Vets will not typically advise worming with a broad spectrum wormer more than once every 3 months, to minimise resistance build up to these medications.
  • However, sheep measles protection by worming dogs only lasts 30 days.
  • The specific wormer targeting the sheep measles tape worm is a narrow spectrum product – Droncit is the most popular regular sheep measles dog wormer tablet. Droncit can be used to dose your dog every month to stop the spread of sheep measles.

  • A good worming regime to protect your dog from all worms species as well as provide coverage for sheep measles if your dog is regularly going on to sheep pasture:
  • Month one – dose with a Broad Spectrum wormer eg: Drontal or another vet recommended product
  • Month two (30 days later) – dose with Droncit - specific for sheep measles protection
  • Month three (30 days later) – dose with Droncit - specific for sheep measles protection
  • ….. repeat this three month cycle.

  • A good worming regime to protect your dog from all worm species as well as provide coverage for sheep measles if your dog is only requiring coverage for a working spaniel trial:
  • Ensure your dog is wormed at least 48 hours before entering the trial ground.
  • The dog is covered for 30 days from the date of giving the wormer medication.

  • Record the worming of your dog on a valid Worming Certificate.

  • Additional to treating dogs, other ways to reduce the risk of the spread of sheep measles:
  • Freeze or cook all sheep or goat meat before feeding to dogs. Freeze meat to -10°C or colder for 10 days before feeding, or cook meat to a core temperature of 72°C or greater.
  • Don’t feed meat scraps to dogs.
  • Control your dog/keep it supervised.
  • Do not let it wander/enter sheep pasture without permission.

  • For further information, refer to the Ovis Management NZ below or phone Ovis Management on 0800 222 011


OVIS management