Tips for Parasite Control 

By Dr Natascha Meunier, Beef HealthCheck Programme Manager, AHI

 

Effective parasite control around housing time can keep animals gut worm and fluke free until they go out grazing and will help prevent pastures from becoming contaminated with worm eggs in the spring. Always follow the directions when giving treatments and weigh animals for an accurate dosage.

Lice and mites

When treating for lice and mites, make sure all in-contact animals are treated at the same time. Animals might also need a repeat treatment 3-4 weeks later because the treatments aren’t effective against the lice eggs and when they hatch will cause animals to scratch and lose their hair once again.

 

Liver fluke

If liver fluke is present on the farm, a repeat dose might be needed when using an adult-only flukicide early in the season. Check which parasite life stage the flukicide you use is effective against (early immature, late immature or adult only) and then time the treatment accordingly or repeat if necessary.

Liver fluke will remain a risk for any sheep or cattle that are outwintered and may need repeated treatments late into the winter season.

Gut and stomach worms

Youngstock often need a gut worm treatment going into housing. There is a specific stomach worm that enters a dormant phase in the winter (Ostertagia Type II) which will cause disease in the early spring when the larvae continue their development. Yellow drench is not effective against this life cycle stage, and a clear or white drench should be used at this time to target these worms.

Lungworm

Lungworm could still be a cause of coughing 3-4 weeks after housing. There will have been a high lungworm risk this autumn and animals can be set back by secondary pneumonias because of this parasite.

Test, don’t guess

Dung sampling can help identify which parasites are currently problematic on farm and if any treatments aren’t working as effectively as they should. Speak to your vet about the optimal timing for treatments and testing.