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SCOPS warns about closantel overdosing
An overdose of closantel can cause blindness in sheep.
The advice follows recent reports of overdoses in sheep.

Sheep farmers need to be careful when using flukicides and wormers which contain closantel, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group has warned.

Closantel, an active ingredient in a range of antiparasitic products, is safe to use when the label instructions are followed and animals are dosed according to their weight.

However, SCOPS has reported that it has been made aware of a few recent cases in which sheep have received an overdose of the drug, causing blindness for the animals involved.

SCOPS spokesperson Lesley Stubbings said: “Because of the risks posed by overdosing with closantel, SCOPS urges sheep farmers to split a group if the weight variation is large, grouping sheep into weight bands and altering the dose rate accordingly. That is safer than dosing to the heaviest animal and administering too much closantel to small animals.

“Closantel is an important active in the control of internal parasites. This isn’t a recommendation to avoid the product – just a reminder of the risks of not weighing animals and giving them too much.”

Any farmers or veterinary professionals who see an adverse reaction to closantel in sheep are urged by SCOPS to report it to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA announces 12th Edition of the Small Animal Formulary

The BSAVA has published an updated edition of its Small Animal Formulary, which includes new drug monographs and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.

One of BSAVA's most trusted and widely used clinical resources, this 12th edition of the manual also includes seven new client information leaflets and information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence.

Part A of the Formulary, Canine and Feline, sees Fergus Allerton return as Editor-in-Chief, while Part B: Exotic Pets was edited by Joanna Hedley. For more information, visit the BSAVA website.