Many producers are aware that gastrointestinal parasites can reduce cattle performance, and accordingly, take measures to protect their animals. Gastrointestinal parasites are typically controlled through application of drugs called anthelmintics (dewormers). There are three major dewormer categories available to livestock producers: benzimidazoles, macrocyclic lactones, and imidazothiazoles. Dewormers in the benzimidazole and macrocyclic lactone classes are the most widely utilized for cattle. Macrocyclic lactones are available as in pour-on or injectable forms, while benzimidazoles are typically administered orally.
General Use Dewormers Drugs For Cattle
Deworming with one of several anthelmintics (wormers) approved for use in cattle is an effective preventive practice. Consult your veterinarian concerning strategic worming; timing the deworming to be the most cost effective.
Fenbendazole (Panacur) is available as a stable suspension or granules. It is effective against roundworms in the gut, larval forms in the tissues, and lungworms. Withdrawal time to slaughter is 8 days.
Ivermectin (Ivomec) for cattle is an effective medication against the internal worm parasites including lungworms as well as cattle grubs and sucking lice. It is available in injectable or pour-on formulations. Withdrawal time to slaughter is 35 days.
Levamisole (Levisol, Tramisol) is available in boluses, a paste for oral administration, as a pour-on or an injectable form. Levamisole is effective against roundworms and lungworms. Withdrawal time is (orally) 2 days and (injected) 7 days.
Morantel tartrate (Rumatel) comes in boluses or crumbles for oral use. It is effective against roundworms, and has a 14-day withdrawal time to slaughter.
Thiabendazole (Omnizole, TBZ) for oral administration is available in paste, boluses, suspension, or crumbles. It is effective against roundworms. Thiabendazole is approved for use in lactating cows and has a 96-hour milk discard time. Withdrawal time to slaughter is 3 days.
Albendazole (Valbazen) is available in paste or suspension. It is effective against all intestinal worms including tapeworms, and lungworms as well as liver flukes. It has a 27-day withdrawal for slaughter. It should not be used in animals during the first 45 days of pregnancy.
Oxfendazole (Synonthic) is a new wormer that is effective against intestinal parasites including tapeworms. This wormer has a unique delivery system in that the wormer is injected directly into the rumen. Oxfendazole is also available in the drench form.
Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Levamisole, Albendazole and Oxfendazole are not approved for use in dairy cattle or dairy heifers of breeding age.
Features of Deworming Drugs For Cattle
- Same active ingredient as LongRange® (eprinomectin) in a shorter-acting pour-on
- Convenient for processing cattle on arrival
- Nonflammable, weatherproof formula works even on long, wet hair coats
- No milk withholding or meat withdrawal
- Only product that controls both Psoroptes and Sarcoptes mange mites as well as lice and horn flies
- Safe for pregnant, lactating and dry cows; calves* and heifers; steers and bulls
Uses/benefits of Deworming Drugs For Cattle
- Broad spectrum dewormer
- Pregnancy safe
- Additional benefits of copper & zinc
Methods of Administration
Administering a wormer to individual animals is the only way to be sure that each one is getting the required amount of active material relative to its body weight. This section describes the various methods of administration, their advantages, the drawbacks, and suggestions to ensure “success.”
Orally
Wormers in liquid form, or suspension can be administered by drenching, with a dose syringe or with multiple dose equipment with a backpack reservoir. Avoid getting any of the wormer into the lungs where it could initiate pneumonia. Pour-on fomulations are absorbed following direct application to the skin. Boluses should be given with a balling gun to get them past the base of the tongue. It is not uncommon for cattle to hold a bolus in the mouth for some time and then spit it out. Always observe an animal to be sure it has swallowed the boluses before releasing it.
The paste formulations of wormers are given with special guns, comparable to a caulking gun, designed for each individual product. The tip of the tube is placed in the corner of the mouth, and the paste deposited on the back of the tongue. Do not force the gun deep into the mouth as the paste can cause difficult breathing or the gun can cause injury to soft tissues of the mouth. Good restraint, preferably a squeeze chute, is essential to successful oral administration of wormers. Most cattle are head shy and will resist the operator’s attempt to treat them orally.
Injections
Injections should be made with clean equipment and sharp needles. Withdraw the wormer through the rubber diaphragm stopper. Never open the bottle to fill the syringe; this increases the chances for contamination and post injection abscesses. The injections should be under the skin of the neck, not into the muscle. Never inject in the rear quarters. Do not inject more than 10 ml of drug in a single site.
Feed-Incorporated Materials
Crumbles or granules that can be incorporated into the feed are attractive to many producers, because the need to catch and restrain each animal is eliminated. However, it is still necessary to assure that each animal gets the appropriate deworming dose of medication. It is recommended that feed incorporated wormers be used only when (1) cattle are on full-feed, (2) feed is in front of them 24 hours a day, and (3) the wormer can be thoroughly incorporated into a complete mixed ration. All of these criteria must be met to ensure complete worming of the entire group of cattle.
Prices of Deworming Drugs For Cattle
$34.99 – $220.99