Deworming Livestock Projects

DEWORMING LIVESTOCK PROJECTS

BY: C.L. Eaton, County Extension Agent

Is your animal not gaining weight like it should or losing weight? Does it have diarrhea? Does your hog have a dry cough? If you can answer yes to any of the above questions, then your livestock project may have internal parasites or “worms”.

Internal parasites are common in all classes of livestock. When animals are confined in pens or barns with several other animals, parasites can be more prevalent than in a pasture setting. Because of this it is important to understand internal parasites and how to control them.

Internal parasites usually enter the animal’s digestive system through the mouth. Mature parasites that are attached to an animal’s intestinal wall will lay their eggs, which will exit the animal through feces. The eggs then hatch into larvae that will wait to be ingested by another host (animal). Once ingested, the larvae will attach itself to the intestinal wall, where it matures to lay more eggs to continue the cycle.

Each species requires different products and techniques that will help eliminate internal parasites…

 CATTLE

Show calves should be dewormed  every 4-6 weeks starting when they are brought home in the Spring. Do not combine internal parasite control (deworming with a parasiticide) with grub or lice preparations. To deworm club calves, administer the first treatment upon arrival. In exactly 21 days, treat again and continue this treatment every 100 days.Below are a few examples of deworming products approved for use in show cattle: 

PRODUCT NAME	ACTIVE INGREDIENT	APPLICATION METHOD
Safe-Guard®	fenbendazole	oral
Cydectin®	moxidectin	Injectable
Ivomec®	ivermectin	injectable
Dectomax®	doramectin	injectable

 

Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Extension

SHEEP & GOATS

New show lambs and goats should be dewormed as soon as they are brought home. Deworming should be done every 4-6 weeks, just as in swine. Products should also be rotated to ensure that all class of parasites are being controlled and immunity is not being developed. Here are a few examples of deworming products that have been approved for sheep & goats:

PRODUCT NAME	ACTIVE INGREDIENT	APPLICATION METHOD
Safe-Guard®	fenbendazole	oral
Cydectin®	moxidectin	oral
Ivomec®	ivermectin	oral

Oral dewormers in sheep & goat can be found in paste, liquid drench, and feed additive forms. If using the feed additive method, be sure that the product in mixed within the feed and that the animal finished the entire ration without wasting any. If using the paste or drench method, be sure that the animal swallows all of the dewormer. This should be done slowly so the animal doesn’t choke or waste the product.

Video courtesy of Purina Mills

SWINE

One of the first things you should do after purchasing new show pigs is deworm them. Pigs should be dewormed every 4-6 weeks. To prevent parasites from developing immunity to the dewormer, you should rotate products. This also will ensure that you are killing all internal parasites, instead of just one type/specie. Here are a few examples of deworming products that have been approved for use in swine:

PRODUCT NAME	ACTIVE INGREDIENT	APPLICATION METHOD
Safe-Guard®	fenbendazole	oral
Atgard-C®	dichlorvos	oral
Ivomec®	ivermectin	injectable
Dectomax®	doramectin	injectable

  

Oral dewormers are usually mixed in feed as a feed additive. If this is done, be sure the product in mixed within the feed and that the animal finished the entire ration without wasting any. Injectable dewormers should always be given in the neck. For more information on how to administer an injectable dewormer to your swine project, visit eXtension: Injection Reference for Swine.

 

 

Deworming is one of the keys to success when it comes to livestock projects. Here a few reminders, in general when it comes to deworming:

1.   Start a deworming program as soon as you bring your project home and repeat the application every 4-6 weeks.

2.   Rotate your usage of products to prevent immunity and to be sure all parasites are controlled.

3.   READ THE LABEL!  The label of your product will tell you how to give it, how much to give, and when to do it again. If the label does not include the animal you have, don’t use it.

4.   Remember withdrawal times. Dewormers can leave a residue in meat that will take some time to dissolve. Most dewormers have a withdrawal time of a week or so. Follow the label on withdrawal times.