ANSC handling- Lecture 8- deworming sheep, goats, cattle, swine

Signs of parasitic infestation

• signs?

• weak, thin (low BCS), anemic (FAMACHA 4-5 score), coughing, bottle jaw

  • bottle jaw- swelling under the jaw associated with severe cases of internal parasite infections

  • Most common culprit is gastrointestinal parasite HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS (a roundworm)

• the swelling aka EDEMA is caused by fluid accumulation in the tissues under the jaw

• the swelling is a condition known as HYPOPROTEINEMIA (low protein levels in the blood) a symptom of severe internal parasites

FAMACHA scoring

• what do you look for?

• what parasite does this test for?

• what does a lighter color vs a darker color mean?

• the scoring system is used for Haemonchus contortus infections

• place thumb underneath bottom eyelid and push down and pull away

  • haemonchus contortus aka barber pole worm (roundworm)= blood eating parasite

• look for inner membrane color correlating to anemia (more parasite=more anemic)

• 1-3 dont have to deworm

• 4-5 deworm

lifecycle of parasites

• switching out dewormers?

• steps?

• must switch out dewormers because parasitic resistance will occur

steps of parasite (lifecycle)

• if weather is suitable, the larve will hatch out

• larvae migrate in films of moisture from poop pellets on to pasture. (WARM + WET= HATCH)

• larvae are eaten by sheep

• larvae in gut develop into adults in about 3 weeks

• adult worms lay eggs which pass onto pasture in poop

• cycle then starts over again

dewormers used

• cydectin- moxidectin

• noromectin- ivermectin

• valbazen- albendazole

• safe-guard- fenbendazole

determining dosage

• steps and math?

• first take the weight of the animal or a good estimate of the animal

• then read the label for dosing 

• take the number of the mL’s and divide by the weight given then multiply by the weight of your animal

  • 0.75mL/25lb=0.03mL/lb

  • 0.03 × 125= 3.75mL

• DO NOT UNDERDOSE (Leads to parasite resistance)

Drenching tools

• what is a drench?

• styles of drench guns?

• what else can be used?

• Drench- administering a drug in liquid form orally

• drenching guns/syringes come in different styles

  • can draw directly from dewormer 

  • some connect directly to dewormer bottle

• regular syringes can be used

  • need to pour into a small cup or something similar to be able to draw up dewormer

How to drench

• steps?

• what should you NOT do?

• place the drench in the mouth between the incisors and molars

• aim for the back of the tongue area

• release SLOWLY and make sure ALL is swallowed

• if it is spit out, administer more. NEVER UNDERDOSE

Working Sheep/goats

how to work them?

• catching sheep

• in a chute

• down an alleyway

Withdrawal period of anthelmintics

• what does the withdrawal period mean?

• what should you NOT do with animals if they are in the withdrawal period?

• days for treatment for the four main dewormers?

• The time it takes before the dewormer is cleared out of the body or levels are safe for human consumption of meat or milk

• if its within withdrawal period animals should not be sent for slaguther or their products should not be consumed

• days for treatment to slaughter or milk consumption for:

  • cydectin- slaughter=17d, milk=8d

  • ivermectin-slaughter=14d,milk=9d

  • valbazen-slaughter=7d, milk=N/A or 4d

  • safe-guard- slaughter=6d, milk=4d

Avoiding parasite resistance

• when should you deworm? what do you assess?

• what should you NOT do when deworming? what will happen to the parasites?

• how often should you rotate anthelmintics?

• only deworm when needed

  • assess FAMACHA, BCS, bottle jaw

  • conduct a fecal egg count (FEC) under microscope to determine parasite levels

• DO NOT UNDERDOSE

  • parasites that dont die will become resistant

  • weigh animals, if possible, to accurately determine dose

• rotate anthelmintics either YEARLY or SEASONALLY

Cattle anthelmintics

• most common method?

• what are the two most common dewormers effective against?

• what else can be used?

• what are they effective against?

• most common method is pour on

  • cydectin

  • ivermectin

  • effective against roundworms, lungworms, grubs, horn flies, lice, mites

• also used: injectable dewormers

  • noromectin

  • dectomax (doramectin)\

  • effective against roundworms, lungworms, grubs, lice, and mange mites

Swine anthelmintics

• what is the most common way?

• 4 commonly used?

most common via feed

• usually as pellets

  • durafend (fenbendazole)

  • safeguard (fenbendazole)

• also used:

  • noromectin (ivermectin)

  • dectomax (doramectin)