Gastrointestinal parasite control practices in pigs: A questionnaire survey of Australian veterinarians and Victorian pig producers.

Gastrointestinal parasites remain an important yet under-recognised challenge in Australian pig production. This study evaluated knowledge, diagnostic practices, parasite control strategies, and awareness of antiparasitic resistance among Australian pig veterinarians and Victorian pig producers using two online REDCap questionnaires conducted between April and December 2024. Responses were obtained from 21 veterinarians and 83 producers. Veterinarians demonstrated greater awareness of parasitism than producers, with 67% (14/21) reporting parasite-associated disease and 52% (11/21) observing abattoir lesions, compared with 23% (19/83) and 7% (6/83) of producers, respectively. While 57% (12/21) of veterinarians recommended faecal egg counts, only 17% (14/83) of producers used them. Antiparasitic treatment was recommended by 76% (16/21) of veterinarians but used by only 48% (40/83) of producers. Veterinarians recommended strategic treatments, whereas producers predominantly relied on interval-based dosing. Concerns about antiparasitic resistance were reported by 57% (12/21) of veterinarians and 37% (31/83) of producers. The majority of veterinarians (81%, 17/21) had not received recent continuing education on pig parasites, and 68% (56/83) of producers lacked formal animal science training. These findings should be interpreted considering the voluntary survey design, small veterinarian sample, Victorian-only producer sample, and reliance on self-reported data. Nevertheless, these findings reveal substantial gaps in parasite awareness, diagnosis, and control practices, highlighting the need for targeted education, improved surveillance, and evidence-based parasite management programs for the Australian pig industry.