Beefparas.pdf

BEEF PARASITES
The control of parasites in cattle is complex and there are many different drugs andcontrol strategies. It is advisable to have your veterinary surgeon draw up a controlprogramme for the conditions on your farm that incorporates strategic use of drugs andgrazing management for the most economic and effective solution.
ROUNDWORMS
§ Worms cause a decline in growth due to internal damage and reduced grazing
§ Stomach/gut worms cause scouring. Lung worms cause coughing and pneumonia (husk)
§ Pasture contamination with infective larvae builds up as the season progresses
§ Clinical disease usually develops from mid summer onwards § Immunity develops in calves through exposureTreatment Strategy will vary from farm to farm – the lower the stocking rate the fewer problems. Generallyall calves and yearling stock should receive a treatment at housing, which can also incorporatetreatment for fluke and lice/mange. Always read instructions, and do not underdose.
Classes of Drug Available – all drugs in these classes treat gut and lung worms
Benzimidazoles
Available as drench (white drenches), bolus and in feed preparation Available as drench, injection and pour on Ivermectin etc. – some have a prolonged action. Available as injection, pouron and bolus Boluses – give prolonged protection (length of time depends on bolus used). Stock must be over3 months and 100kgGrazing Strategies – extensive grazing reduces problem. The aim is to provide stock withpastures with low numbers of worm larvae. Move stock to clean pastures in July (aftermath). Atreatment is usually advisable prior to this movement. Use clean pasture at the start of thegrazing season, preferably new leys. Mixed grazing or alternate grazing with cattle and sheepcan be used to control gut parasites but ideally cattle older than 12 months should be used assome sheep parasites can cycle in cattle under 12 months.
1) Treat June/July and again 6-8 weeks later. Interval varies according to drug used (seek veterinary advice). Treat at 2) Bolus mid season (avoids need for treatment at housing) 1) Ivermectins – treat 3, 8 and 13 weeks after turnout (or with longer acting Doramectin at turnout and 8 weeks later) and 2) Bolus at turnout (useful if grazing away)3) Vaccinate against lungworm and treat gut worms as for single 1) Treat mid season and at housing2) Bolus at start of season LIVER FLUKE
Housed stock - Treat 2 weeks after housing – only triclabendazole kills all fluke at this Affects both adult and young stock - main effect is weight loss (can go undetected in months to kill any surviving fluke. Or delay High incidences in wet summers (fluke eggs (nitroxynil 4-6 weeks, or drugs killing only Wet area on farms are high risk, and can again in Spring to kill any fluke picked up over winter. If risk is high give extra mid- Classes of Drug Available
§ Use fluke forecasts as a guide to risk § Fence off obvious areas of danger – wet § Occurs in late winter/spring when animals in § Biting lice irritate the skin, cattle scratch § Three types of mites that affect cattle.
§ One type of mite can affect humans (causes § Severe itching produces areas of bare skin § Treat all animals in the group – ideally at § Should be accurately diagnosed by a vet Class of Drug
§ All animals in group need treatment – as Class of Drug
interval. The dose is applied tothe affected areas, and the restalong the back MORE INFORMATION
Raymond Jones (IGER): 01970 823 000. For a full list of available factsheetscontact Deborah Courtney 01970 823 028 or email kt@bbsrc.ac.uk The Livestock Knowledge Transfer management team are grateful to Bruce Lawson for the information used to develop this fact sheet.

Source: http://www.adlib.ac.uk/resources/000/244/425/beef_7.pdf