A Survey of Knowledge, Approaches, and Practices Surrounding Parasitic Infections and Antiparasitic Drug Usage by Veterinarians in Türkiye

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Parasitic infections are a significant problem in veterinary medicine, and their management requires an in-depth understanding of the parasite life cycle, host-parasite interactions, and the appropriate use of antiparasitic drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the knowledge, approaches, and practices of veterinarians in Türkiye regarding parasitic infections and antiparasitic drugs usage. Our study surveyed a diverse group of veterinarians working in various fields of veterinary medicine, including small animal, large animal, and mixed animal practices. The results of our study revealed that while veterinarians in Türkiye generally have a good understanding of parasitic infections and antiparasitic drugs, there are still gaps in their practice, particularly regarding testing anthelmintic resistance, using parasitic diagnostic methods, and attending conferences, symposia, and workshops. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the current state of parasitic infections and anthelmintic resistance management in veterinary medicine in Türkiye. We believe that the findings of our study will help inform the development of more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of parasitic infections in animals and contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve animal health and welfare in the region. Our results are also expected to raise awareness about anthelminthic resistance and parasite infections among veterinarians in Türkiye. ABSTRACT: Despite a global background of increasing anthelmintic resistance in parasites, little is known about the current parasite control strategies adopted within the livestock industry in Türkiye. The aim of this survey is to identify the parasitic diseases encountered by veterinarians, the methods and drugs used for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, parasite control practices, and other related factors. This survey was conducted online between October 2018 and March 2019 with the participation of 607 veterinarians working in different areas from seven different geographical regions of Türkiye. A total of 29 questions were posed to the veterinarians in the online survey. As a result of this survey, it was determined that veterinarians should utilize laboratory methods more frequently for the detection and diagnosis of parasitic diseases and anthelmintic resistance. It was concluded that to effectively implement diagnosis, prevention, and control measures for parasitic diseases, field veterinarians need to establish closer relationships within academia and increase their participation in national and international conferences, symposia, and workshops where knowledge sharing and exchange take place. In conclusion, antiparasitic drug resistance has become increasingly important recently, and therefore measures taken to prevent the development of resistance should be increased.