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Cattle Parasite Control Guide

When trying to choose the correct product for your livestock there are a number of factors to take into account to ensure you get optimal coverage for the right price all while reducing the risk of resistance on your farm. Our guide to parasite control should give you all the information you need to make the right choice for you.

What kind of wormer should I use?

Wormers are used to treat and control parasitic infections from roundworm, lungworm, tapeworms and liver fluke. These wormers (or Anthelmintics) can be categorised into the following groups.

Group 1: Benzimidazoles (BZ)

Group 2: Levamisole (Imidazothiazoles) (LV)

Group 3: Macrocyclic lactones, including avermactins and milbemycins (ML)

Group 4: Amino acetonitrile derivatives (Monepantel) (AD)

Group 5: Spiroindoles (SI)

Wormers in these groups are effective against all the major species or roundworm and lungworm, with some also being effective against liver fluke and tapeworms. Wormers from Group 3 (ML) both injectables and pour ons are effective against ectoparasites.

Parasite Information Products
Gutworms Worming is a necessity when trying to break the cycle of gutworms especially where cattle are grazing in infected areas. Treatment should aim to reduce the disease and minimise contamination of the pasture. Symptoms of gutworm can include diarrhoea, decreased appetite and loss of weight. Gutworm can cause severe damage to the stomach and small intestine which will cause parasitic gastroenteritis, this will not only negatively affect the health of the animal but will affect the profitability for the farmer.

Macrocyclic Lactone (ML), Benzimidazoles (BZ) and Levamisole (LV) products are most commonly used in the treatment of gutworm.

Lungworms Lungworm infection usually occurs in younger livestock in the later stages of the grazing season. Without adequate lungworm control cattle can me more susceptible to pneumonia. Symptoms of lungworm can include a short, sharp cough that becomes worse with exercise, in severe cases the animal will have obvious difficulty breathing. Lungworm infections cause a high susceptibility to respiratory viruses and bacteria. Infected cattle are prone to contracting severe bronchial pneumonia which if left untreated can lead to death.

Macrocyclic Lactone (ML), Benzimidazoles (BZ) and Levamisole (LV) products are most commonly used in the treatment of lungworm.

Liver Fluke

There are many factors to take into account when treating for liver fluke in cattle. In particular you should take into account the risk,  the time of year and the stage of development of the fluke. You should always seek advice from a vet or responsible seller.

If rumen fluke is suspected you should discuss your options with your vet as treatment is not always required and there are very few products that have an impact on rumen fluke.

Different flukicides will kill different stages of the fluke life cycle so it important to chose the correct product for the stage you are treating for.
Ectoparasites The spread of mange and lice is caused by close contact between the animals, this is why ectoparasites spread more easily at the time of housing cattle. Because ectoparasites are spread so easily it is important to control an outbreak by not only treating cattle with obvious signs but all animals that have been in contact. Ectoparasites can be controlled using synthetic pyrethroids or Macrocyclic Lactone (ML) Products

 

Combination Products

Products that combine both a wormer and a flukicide can seem like an easy option when treating cattle but there are some important questions to ask before choosing a combination product

Do the cattle need to be treated for both worms and fluke?

Is the wormer appropriate for the stages of worms you are treating against?

Is the flukicide appropriate for the stages of fluke you are treating against?

Wormer Resistance In Cattle

​The problem of wormer resistance when treating cattle is a growing problem not only in Ireland but in countries all around the world. Resistance is not always obvious at first but the results can be detrimental to your herd. Resistance is caused by the continuous use of the same group of wormer every year. A combination of tightly monitoring your herd and a strict dosing routine should reduce the risk of resistance on your farm.

Signs of resistance on your land

  • The liveweight gain of you herd is falling year after year
  • Individual animals in your herd are failing to thrive despite adequate nutrition
  • Animals are still scouring even after sufficient treatment
  • Obvious signs of disease present in animals that have been treatmented

​How to prevent resistance

  • Use a wormer from a chemical group that is most suitable for your situation and will be most effective. If a resistance to a certain chemical has been confirmed on your land ensure to use a wormer from a different chemical group.
  • Make sure to weigh your animals and dose appropriately, under dosing or over dosing will greatly increase the chances of resistance on your land.
  • Rotate the chemical group of wormers that you use each year and make sure to avoid any chemicals that there is a confirmed resistance for 
  • Monitor the performance of your herd throughout the year, if there are signs of poor thrive or a suspicion of resistance on your land contact your vet to discuss your options.
Essentials Of Dosing Cattle

Choosing the correct product for the parasites you are targeting  is essential. This will give predictable results which will lessen the chances of having to retreat. This will in turn save time, money and reduce the chances of resistance on your farm. Below are some essential tips to ensure you are treating your livestock properly. Which ever product and method of administration you choose it is essential to always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

- Choose an appropriate product for the parasites you are targeting

- Make sure to store wormers appropriately, normally away from sunlight, away from extreme temperatures and sometimes in a fridge. All these details will be available on documents accompanying the wormers.

- Ensure all dosing equipment is clean, compatible with your choice of wormer and is measuring correctly.

- Dose according to liveweight to avoid under or over dosing

- Record everything properly. Product used, amount used, batch number, expiry date, animal id, treatment date and withdrawal periods

- Do not mix wormers together as this can cause the product to be inactive

Methods Of Administration

Pour Ons

- Pour Ons should be applied down along the length of the flattest part of the animal's back

- Animals should not be treated when wet or if rain is expected, unless the product specifically says it is ok to do so

- Damaged skin should be avoided

- Areas contaminated with mud or manure should be avoided and cleaned before application

Injectables

- Clean and sterile equipment should always be used, if using the same syringe for multiple animals the needle should be disinfected between injections

- If the injection site is dirty it should be cleaned with an alcohol wipe before injecting

- Use an appropriate sized needle for the animal you are injecting

- Make sure the animal is appropriately restrained before injecting

- For subcutaneous injections raise a fold of skin and inject into the space created, as shown in the diagram below

- Dispose of used needles and syringes in an appropriate sharps container

Oral Drenches

- Ensure all drenching equipment is clean and calibrated

- Ensure the animal is restrained with their head held up

- Slide the  nozzle of the dosing gun into the side of the mouth and over the tongue so that the entire dose is swallowed immediately

Products by group

Group 1: Benzimidazole (BZ) (White)

Product Company Name Chemical Name Parasites Controlled Administration Withdrawal (Meat) Milk Withhold
Roundworm Lungworm Tapeworm Liver Fluke Mites Warbles Lice Hornfly Eyeworm
Albex 10% Chanelle Albendazole Yes Yes Yes Yes (Adult) No No No No No Oral Drench 14 Days 60 Hours
Albex 2.5% Channelle Albendazole Yes Yes Yes Yes (Adult) No No No No No Oral Drench 14 Days 60 Hours
Fenben 10 Ancare Fenbendazole Yes Yes No No No No No No No Oral Drench 21 Days X
Tramazole 10% Univet Albendazole Yes Yes Yes Yes (Adult) No No No No No Oral Drench 14 Days 60 Hours

 

Group 2: Levamisole (LV) (Yellow)

Product Company Name Chemical Name Parasites Controlled Administration Withdrawal (Meat) Milk Withhold
Roundworm Lungworm Tapeworm Liver Fluke Mites Warbles Lice Hornfly Eyeworm
Levacide 7.5% Injection Norbrook Levamisole Yes Yes No No No No No No No Injection SC 28 Days X

 

Group 3: Macrocycli Lactones (ML) (Clear)

Product Company Name Chemical Name Parasites Controlled Administration Withdrawal (Meat) Milk Withhold
Roundworm Lungworm Tapeworm Liver Fluke Mites Warbles Lice Hormfly Eyeworm
Abacare 1% Pour On J&M Veterinary Abamectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Pour On 35 Days X
Animec 1% Injection Chanelle Ivermectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Injection SC 49 Days X
Animec 0.5% Pour On Chanelle Ivermectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Pour On 49 Days X
Cydectin 10% LA Zoetis Moxidectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Ear Injection 108 Days X
Dectomax Injection Elanco Doramectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Injection SC 70 Days X
Dectomax Pour On Elanco Doramectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Injection SC 35 Days X
Eprecis 20mg Injection Ceva AH Eprinomectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Injection SC 63 Days Zero
Eprinex Pour On Boehringer Eprinomectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Pour On 15 Days Zero
Eprizero Pour On Norbrook Eprinomectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Pour On 10 Days Zero
Imec 1% Injection Acravet Ivermectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Injection SC 49 Days X
Imec Pour On Acravet Ivermectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Pour On 28 Days X
Ivome Classic Pour On Boehringer Ivermectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Pour On 15 Days X
Turbomec 1% Injection Bimeda Ivermectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Injection SC 49 Days X
Zeromectin Chanelle Eprinomectin Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No Pour On 28 Days Zero

 

Combination Prtoducts

Product Company Name Chemical Name Parasites Controlled Administration Withdrawal (Meat) Milk Withhold
Roundworm Lungworm Tapeworm Liver Fluke Mites Warbles Lice Hornfly Eyeworm
Animec Super Injection Chanelle Ivermectin Clorsulon Yes Yes No Yes (Adult) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Injection SC 66 Days X
Bimectin Plus Bimeda Ivermectin Clorsulon Yes Yes No Yes (Adult) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Injection SC 66 Days X
Chan Broad Spec Chanelle

Rafoxanide Levamisole

Yes Yes No Yes (Adult) No No No No No Oral Drench 60 Days X
Closamectin Injectiom Norbrook Ivermectin Clorsulon Yes Yes No Yes (Adult and Immature over 7 weeks) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Injection SC 48 Days X
Closamectin Pour On Norbrook Ivermectin Clorsulon Yes Yes No Yes (Adult and Immature over 7 weeks) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Pour On 28 Days X
Curafluke 10% Univet Rafoxanide Fenbendazole Yes Yes No Yes (Adult and Immature) No No No No No Oral Drench 60 Days X
Curafluke 5% Univet Rafoxanide Fenbendazole Yes Yes No Yes (Adult and Immature) No No No No No Oral Drench 60 Days X
Cydectin Triclamox Zoetis Moxidectin Triclabendazole Yes Yes No Yes (Adult and immature) No No Yes No No Pour On 143 Days X
Ivomec Super Injection Boehringer Ivermectin Clorsulon Yes Yes No Yes (Adult) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Injection SC 66 Days X
Levafas Diamond Norbrook Levamisole Oxyclozanide Yes Yes No Yes (Adult) No No No No No Oral Drench 5 Days X
Topimec Super Injection Chanelle Ivermectin Clorsulon Yes Yes No Yes (Adult) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Injection SC 66 Days X

 

Flukicides

Product Company Name Chemical Name Parasites Controlled Administration Withdrawal (Meat) Milk Withhold
Roundworm Lungworm Tapeworm Liver Fluke Mites Warbles Lice Hornfly Eyeworm
Endofluke 10% Bimeda Triclabendazole No No No Yes (All Stages) No No No No No Oral Drench 56 Days X
Fasinex 240 Elanco Triclabendazole No No No Yes (All Stages) No No No No No Oral Drench 56 Days X
Flukiver Injection Elanco Closantel No No No Yes (Adult and Immature) No No No No No Injection SC 77 Days X
Rumenil Chanelle Oxyclozanide No No Yes (Segments Only) Yes (Adult only) No No No No NO Oral Drench 28 Days 72 Hours
Santiola Injection KRKA Closantel No NO No Yes (Adult and Immature) No No No No No Injection SC 77 Day X
Tribex 10% Chanelle Triclabendazole No No No Yes (All Stages) No No No No No Oral Drench 56 Days X
Triclaben Chanelle Triclabendazole No No No Yes (All Stages) No No No No No Oral Drench 56 Days X
Trodax Boehringer Nitroxynil No No No Yes (Adult and Late Immature) No No No No No Injection sc 60 Days X

 

Ectoparasiticides - Synthetic Pyrethroids

Product Company Name Chemical Name Parasites Controlled Administration Withdrawal (Meat) Milk Withhold
Roundworm Lungworm Tapeworm Liver Fluke Mites Warbles Lice Flies Hornfly Eyeworm
Bayticol Bayer Flumethrin No No No No No No Yes No No No Pour On 5 Days 10 Days
Butox MSD Deltamethrin No No Noj No No No Yes Yes Yes No Pour On  18 Days 12 Hours
Ectospec Bimeda Cypermethrin No No No No No No Yes Yes No No Pour On 10 Days 12 Hours
Flectron Fly Tag Zoetis Cypermethrin No No No No No No No Yes No No Ear Tag Zero Zero
Spot On Zoetis Deltamethrin No No No No No No Yes Yes No No Spot On 17 Days Zero
Spotinor Noorbrook Deltamethrin No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes No Spot On 17 Days Zero