On an Australian farm, a dog is more than just a worker, they are a vital part of the team and a constant companion to the family. But because farm dogs "dog" differently; scavenging, catching wildlife, or having access to untreated raw meat and offal, they carry a hidden risk that most combination parasite treatments miss - tapeworms.
An invisible threat to your family
A big concern for any farm household is hydatid tapeworm. This dangerous parasite can be passed from your dogs to your family, leading to serious health issues in humans. The parasite forms cysts in our organs, most often the lungs, liver and brain, that grow over months to years and can cause devastating disease, and even death.1,2
Dogs pick up the parasite when they eat infected, raw offal from fallen stock or wildlife.1,2 Because working dogs are often in close contact with both livestock and people, keeping them free of tapeworms isn't just about their health, it’s about keeping your family safe.
Protecting your bottom line from sheep measles
Beyond family safety, there is a significant economic risk to sheep farmers: Sheep Measles (Taenia ovis). While it doesn't make the sheep sick, the cysts that form in their muscles lead to trimming, carcass downgrades or condemnation at the abattoir. The cost of sheep measles is estimated at approximately $2.4 million per year for the Australian industry.3
Dogs get the parasite by scavenging infected raw sheep meat, then shed eggs in their faeces across the paddocks. When sheep graze, the eggs are ingested, larvae hatch in the gut and migrate to the muscles. While there is no available direct treatment for sheep3, prevention is simple. Monthly deworming of all dogs2,3 with a praziquantel-containing product1.
Close the "tapeworm gap" with Advocate Ultra Chew
Until now, many farmers have had to juggle multiple products; a monthly all-in-one for fleas, ticks, heartworm and some intestinal worms, plus a separate tapeworm tablet every few months. For control to be successful, monthly treatment of all dogs on the farm should be implemented.
Advocate Ultra Chew changes the game. It is Australia’s first monthly all-in-one chew that includes praziquantel.
Why Advocate Ultra Chew is a farm essential
- The broadest spectrum parasite protection*: One chew protects against fleas, ticks (paralysis tick, brown dog tick, bush tick), demodex mites, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms (all species) and tapeworms.
- Monthly peace of mind: Because the lifecycle of tapeworms is short (6 to 8 weeks for T.ovis and hydatid tapeworm1), a monthly treatment is the most effective way to ensure the tapeworms are killed before eggs are shed in the faeces onto the pasture. Advocate Ultra Chew aligns the tapeworm treatment with the rest of the dog’s parasite protection.
- Highly palatable: Advocate Ultra Chew is a small, tasty chew that dogs enjoy, making compliance easy.4
Don't leave your farm or your family vulnerable.
*Of all canine endectocides, based on number of parasite species controlled. Make sure you read the product leaflet for full instructions.
References: 1. TroCCAP Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and control of canine endoparasites in the tropics. 2nd Edition March 2019.
2. WHO Echinococcosis. Accessed: July 2026.
3. Animal Health Australia. Sheep Measles PDF. Accessed: July 2026.
4. Elanco data on file (ELA 210049 & ELA210612).
This article was written by Elanco for Seasons.
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