Growing parasite resistance has now become a serious threat to the welfare of grazing animals, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned.
"Every use of anthelmintics [deworming agents] increases the risk of resistance developing," says Peter Jones, chairman of the association's medicines group.
"Veterinary surgeons have a duty to ensure anthelmintic use is judicious and limited to circumstances when treatment can be effective, targeted and based on sound veterinary diagnosis.
"The BVA advises all vets to work with their farming clients to develop a farm health plan that encompasses an effective worming strategy and a full grazing management programme to reduce the need for treatment," he said.
"Vets must also promote good worming practice to ensure dosage is based on accurate weight measurements. Underdosing is a major factor in the development of resistance," he added.
The association has launched a guidance poster with keys messages to vets to encourage the responsible use of the drugs.
The poster is intended for display in veterinary practices as a reminder to vets and clients of the need for responsible use of these drugs.
The association said anthelmintics are used worldwide to treat parasites in horses, sheep, cattle and goats, as well as in companion animals.
However, misuse in grazing animals, leading to resistance, was an increasing problem, which had now become a serious threat to the health and welfare of the animals, it said.
Professor Bill Reilly, president of the BVA, said: "Action to minimise the development of resistance is urgent and essential and we hope this poster will serve as a constant reminder to vets to think twice before prescribing anthelmintics."
The poster, accompanied by additional online guidance, outlines Do's and Don'ts in the use of deworming agents and carries the strong message: "Think Twice Before Prescribing Anthelmintics".
It carries advice on encouraging farm health planning and worming strategies, targeting the drug used to the parasite, the importance of not underdosing, quarantining incoming animals, and investigating and reporting suspected cases of resistance to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
It urges vets not to treat unnecessarily and not to blanket treat.
The new initiative follows the success of the BVA's poster outlining an eight-point plan for the responsible use of antimicrobials, launched in November. It is currently being considered for use in other European countries.
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