Deworming: The What & When Matters
Does it feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending battle of deworming your cattle? Winning at deworming requires prevention of parasites – a proactive, strategic selection of the right dewormer for the right parasites and using it at the right time. Here we’ll talk about the importance of what you use and when, as well as the importance of rotating your dewormer to prevent resistance.
What is the Best Medicine for Deworming Cattle?
The answer to that question varies based on what kind of parasites you’re dealing with. Once you’ve identified the type through fecal egg sampling, you can work with your veterinarian to identify a dewormer that targets that parasite specifically.Dewormers are available in a few different application methods:
- Injection (syringe in neck or shoulders)
- Oral (feed-incorporated pellets, paste, etc.)
- Pour-On (direct application to the skin/back-spraying)
A Targeted Rotational Treatment Program
No matter which application method you choose, frequent and/or recurring treatments often develop drug resistance in parasites. That’s why it’s important to assess and adjust parasite control efforts based on veterinarian recommendations and consider using a mix of products with varying active ingredients. Your vet may suggest additional fecal egg count reduction testing to find out if your current dewormer is effective. From there, the vet can strategize a combination of drug classes for a rotational program to combat your specific parasites.Dewormers ON SALE in September
This month only, PBS Animal Health has two reputable dewormers on sale:- Ivermectin Pour-On Dewormer for Cattle: This broad spectrum pour-on from Durvet comes well recommended by our customers with several 5-star reviews! It’s a low-volume application with proven performance for treatment and control of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, grubs, sucking and biting lice, sarcoptic mange mites and horn flies in cattle.
- Agri-Mectin Cattle and Swine Dewormer Injection: Fight worms, lice, mites and grubs with this FDA-approved, 5-star customer-reviewed product.
More Reputable Dewormers to Consider
If you need more options in terms of application method or active ingredients, here are a few other products that also come highly rated by PBS Animal Health customers. Consult with your vet, and consider adding one or more of these to your rotation:- Cydectin Cattle Pour-On Dewormer: Cydectin is the industry’s #1 selling pour-on deworming brand! This dewormer controls 33 parasite species and stages and it’s still dung beetle and earthworm friendly. You’ll also notice it’s a weather-proof formula and there’s zero slaughter withdrawal or milk discard.
- Eprinex Cattle Pour-On Dewormer: This pour-on is 99.9% effective against 39 stages of internal and external parasites, including worms, biting and sucking lice, mange mites, grubs, and more. Like Cydectin, there’s no slaughter withdrawal or milk discard either.
- Safe-Guard Cattle and Goat Dewormer Suspension 10%: Go straight to the gut to kill worms with this proven formula that’s safe for lactating dairy cattle. Safe-Guard shows a 90% reduction in fecal egg counts, according to Merck Animal Health. Treatment has also shown improved health and pounds of beef produced.
- Valbazen Suspension Broad Spectrum Dewormer: Control the four major worms (tapeworms, intestinal worms, stomach worms and lungworms), plus liver flukes with this Valbazen dewormer.
How Often Should You Deworm Cows?
The type of parasites in your herd, as well as the type of cattle will dictate the timing and frequency of deworming efforts. Mature cows might get treated annually in the fall or spring. Deworming ahead of calving is key as the calving process can suppress your cows’ immune systems. Bulls, on the other hand, are more prone to parasites and may need dewormed in both fall and spring seasons.Younger cattle (less than 16 months old) are more at risk for parasites because they have less mature immune systems. Plus, without proper deworming, calves are at risk for suppressed appetites, reduced nutrient absorption, future disease challenges and other long-term performance issues. That’s why plenty of producers prefer to start their calf deworming protocols at 3-4 months old and often provide additional rounds of deworming at weaning and up to 1 year of age. Just know this could vary depending on climate and volume of parasite activity. As always, plan your deworming efforts with your veterinarian for insight and guidance on how best to treat your specific calves and herd.
