LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Oct, 2022 Housing is the perfect time for farmers to get on top of parasites in their cattle to maximise growth over the winter and keep stress to a minimum. 

Any animal that has had a grazing season is at risk of carrying worms, particularly first-season grazing animals whose immunity hasn't had time to build up. 

The main parasite threats grazing cattle face include:  

• Gutworms, particularly Ostertagia  
• Lungworms 
• Fluke 
• Ectoparasites such as lice  

Failure to eliminate the risks can lead to production losses, increased costs, and health and welfare implications. Vet Ally Ward from Zoetis outlines five steps farmers can take to manage parasites the winter.  

1. Identify the parasite risk  

Taking an evidence-based approach using diagnostic tests at strategic times can help you assess the parasite risk, disease status and the need for any treatment.  

Faecal egg count tests to detect worms and coproantigen tests for fluke should be used in combination with farm history, symptoms and post-mortem information to determine the issue and whether there is a worm burden, fluke burden, or both (mixed burden).     

If you've been monitoring growth rates in your young stock, a dip in growth or failure to meet growth rate targets could also indicate a parasite challenge. 

Cattle may also present symptoms such as scours in younger cattle due to worms, hair loss or scratching from ectoparasites or coughing from lungworm, for example.  

Speak to your vet about the most appropriate diagnostic test and any symptoms your stock encounters.  

2. Timing of treatment  

Housing is a stressful time due to the change in housing, diet and mixing of groups.  

By eliminating parasites at this time, you are reducing the burden on the animal and stress by only handling the cattle once. This also cuts labour costs and saves you time.  

3. Treatment choice

Treatment will depend on the parasites present. For example, for a mixed parasite burden, a combination product, such as CYDECTIN TriclaMox Cattle Pour-On, would be appropriate as it will treat gutworms, lungworm, lice, as well as late immature and adult fluke.   

Treatment choice will also be influenced by the animal's age and purpose, with meat and milk withdrawal times something that should be considered.  

Protecting cattle at housing will help maximise growth during the initial housing period by removing the worm burden and will also reduce the fluke burden by removing the late immature and adult fluke. Animals can then be tested for fluke before turnout to confirm if further treatment with a fluke adulticide is needed to reduce fluke egg output at turnout.  

It is vital to always work with your animal health care provider when drawing up a parasite control plan. 

4. Correct application

Administering the treatment correctly is essential for it to work properly and help delay the development of resistant worms. Ideally, all animals should be weighed and dosed according to their individual weight. Dosing equipment should also be calibrated and thoroughly cleaned between use.  

5. Monitoring stock during housing

It is vital to continually monitor stock throughout the housing period to ensure they are performing at their best and to nip any health issues in the bud.  

In cases where cattle have not been treated at housing for parasites, diagnostic tests should be performed during housing to prevent stock from overwintering liver fluke and risking pasture contamination at turnout.  

About Zoetis 

As the world's leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After nearly 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide - from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company's leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. In 2020, Zoetis generated revenue of $6.7 billion with ~11,300 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com