The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: princesspiggy on July 15, 2011, 05:00:36 pm

Title: external parasite prevention
Post by: princesspiggy on July 15, 2011, 05:00:36 pm
apart from using panomec injections ( im not a fan of needles  :o) what topical powders can u use that work? would a general lice powder work?
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: Berkshire Boy on July 15, 2011, 05:12:44 pm
I don't find lice powders very good. You're best bet is a ivomectin pour on if you don't do needles. Kills internal and external parasites.
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: HappyHippy on July 15, 2011, 05:14:03 pm
I'm not sure there is a topical treatment available which works as effectively as the injectables  ???
I'd be tempted to stick with the injectables to be on the safe side.
Especially if you're breeding (mange in piglets can be fatal) time to practice your lunge, jab and run routine  ;) ;D
Seriously though, it's not too tricky once they get their head in a bucket of feed, they hardly notice it and it's definately worth being competant with the jags (saves a fortune in vets bils too  ;))
Karen  :wave:
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: JulieS on July 15, 2011, 05:55:02 pm
I agree, injections are the most effective.

I invested in a Masterject.......Definitely worth the money.
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: Berkshire Boy on July 15, 2011, 06:32:28 pm
Masterject is no use for ivomectin as it is injected subcutaneously and not in the muscle. The pour on works just as well as the jabs.
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: supplies for smallholders on July 15, 2011, 07:18:14 pm
apart from using panomec injections ( im not a fan of needles  :o) what topical powders can u use that work? would a general lice powder work?

Hi Piggy,

Louse powders do work - maybe not as effectively as an injectable, and may need repeat applications, but if that is the way that is right for you then give it a try.

Thanks
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: princesspiggy on July 15, 2011, 07:22:05 pm
well i dont mind stabbing em in the behind, but the subcutaneous (for panomec)[ under the neck are a bit trickier. what is a masterject?

would it just be a standard lice powder?
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: JulieS on July 15, 2011, 07:33:19 pm
I use Dectomax, so Ok for use with a Masterject.

A Masterject is an 'injector' with a handle so that you just press it against the rump of the pig and it automatically injects.  There is also a longer handle that you can use with it so that you can stand further away too.

I find it works well because the pig doesn't know what is happening so isn't stressed.  Really easy to go around the whole herd at one meal time with wormer. 

Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: Tiva Diva on July 15, 2011, 07:56:37 pm
I use a 1 metre i.v. extension set between the needle and the syringe: that way it doesn't matter if the pig moves a bit while you're injecting. Good for large(ish) volume injections. You can buy them on-line.
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: princesspiggy on July 15, 2011, 08:12:17 pm
so dectomax and mastaject is intramuscular?
does anyone else inject subcutaneously under the neck (thats what my vet recommended for panomec)
atleast at the arse there are no teeth lol  :o ;D
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: HappyHippy on July 15, 2011, 08:35:25 pm
I do my sub-cut jags behind the ear, pointing downwards and backwards towards their shoulder (hope that makes sense) not under the neck - that would be a b***er at feeding time  :o ;D
Ivomectin, Noromectin, Dectomax - there are loads of different wormers (and names for them  ::)) for external & internal worms.
The masterject is a big fancy device used to administer the jag (I was put off by the 'woosh' noise it made in the video for it) It's serious heavy duty jagging  ;) but ideal if you've got lots of pigs to do or want to do it at a distance.
If you google it you should get a link somewhere for the video of a guy using it on dairy cows - but I've not actually used one so can't tell you much about it.
Good luck  :wave:
Karen x
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: princesspiggy on July 15, 2011, 08:40:07 pm
thanx
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: supplies for smallholders on July 15, 2011, 10:45:06 pm
Hi Piggy.

Just read the title of the post again and noted that you are talking about prevention rather than treating a problem??
 
Just curious as to why? do you have a problem with external parasites historically?

My point is that if we wanted to prevent every scenario and pig ailment then we would forever be injecting.

Like worming, it may be better to wait until a problem rears it's head rather than chemicals for the sake of it.

Im sure there are other views...........
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: princesspiggy on July 16, 2011, 02:27:41 pm
well, im trying to do things the right way (with animal health saying u should have a plan in mind for preventative healthcare, with ur vets advice)so they are supposed to be dosed for internal and external parasites every six months.
last year dorothy lost her hair, which after giving her panomec injection, grew back. this year she is losing it again and to be honest i dont like injecting sub-cutaneous. but she needs treating with something. no lice to be seen, but we do have midges and she is itching, and a bald pig doesnt look too good when people are visiting.
i went to harbros today to get some "pour-on" to find out the dont sell any wormer for pigs at all except herbal remedies, and were reluctant to let me have panocur solution as its not licensed for pigs (although i was told by a vet to use it. my vet also supplied the panomec)
i ended up with lice powder but it is pretty windy up here so whether it will work i dont know.
the piglets are due to be wormed at weaning next week so il use panancur solution, is it twice the dose per kg than for sheep, i cant remember.
where do u get pour-on wormers from? is it the sheep/cow version on the shelf, or is it from vets? im still waiting for vet to get back to me so i thought id ask u guys!

on another note, i saw deosect for sale at shop for £30...hhmmm...my vet charged me £90 for 2 bottles  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: HappyHippy on July 16, 2011, 02:51:32 pm
I buy my meds either from Holmefield Farm Services in York or Vetmeds direct http://www.vetmedsdirect.co.uk/ (http://www.vetmedsdirect.co.uk/) in Livingston (I think) vet meds is quick and great service, Holmefield is good if you have a query you want to ask a pig vet about. Vet meds have a huge selection of ALL kinds of stuff - stuff you never even knew you needed  ::) ;D ;D ;D
My Kunes go through phases of losing hair (it seems worse in summer when it's hot) and I now know that Mangalitza's (most of them) moult in summer too - so it might not be a parasite problem ? Just regular Tammy behaviour ? A worm count would definately be the best idea I think - you never know, it could save you a small fortune on meds  ;)
Karen x
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: supplies for smallholders on July 16, 2011, 03:22:53 pm
Again, Just curious.......as you are trying to do things right

I presume you enter the meds given in a medicine record book? If so don't you think it a little risky to be entering meds in there which are not licenced for the species?

There are lots of online med suppliers that happily give advice on the correct and licenced product to use.

A plan for preventative healthcare could be as simple as a routine (Daily, weekly etc) check for external parasites, a worming plan could be as simple as a routine (munthly, quarterly etc) worm count. The plan doesnt mean inject for everything possible - as long as you have a documented plan.

Thanks
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: robert waddell on July 16, 2011, 03:39:33 pm
the tamworths at the yorkshire show were all a bit devoid of hair
there is no point in jabbing them for risks and diseases that you don't have  entirely different if you have been diagnosed with a specific diseases then you are building up immunity and preventing losses and suffering
some farms have a problem some don't  :farmer:
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: princesspiggy on July 16, 2011, 03:51:40 pm
i will take her foto when the rain has finished washing off the lice powder  :o

so if a vet says dose them with panacur at (eg) twice the doseage prescribed for sheep? is that then illegal in animal health eyes?

i did wonder last year if she was moulting especially as she slept with delilah and who didnt lose a single hair. we waited a few weeks then got panamec off vet and there was an immediate improvement. this hair loss is exactly the same time of year, but we do have midges  ::)

is it not standard practise to worm piglets at weaning? if so with what?
i use worm counts with horses so maybe thats the way to go. how do u know if they have lice etc if u cant see them but they are scratching? without getting the vet to do a skin scrape?

thanx peeps  :wave:
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: supplies for smallholders on July 16, 2011, 04:01:17 pm
You can actually get panacur pellets for pigs and cattle.....

If it were me I would be asking the vet to sign the med book to say he prescribed the medicine if it were not licenced for the species, especially if the particular animal was destined for the food chain.

Worming is a very emotive subject, some swear by worming at weaning and at regular intervals, others carry out worm counts to see if worming is needed and some just ignore the subject as they swear blind their pigs dont have worms......

Pig lice are easily seen if you have them, here is a good link on pig lice : http://www.thepigsite.com/pighealth/article/434/lice (http://www.thepigsite.com/pighealth/article/434/lice)

Thanks
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: princesspiggy on July 16, 2011, 07:11:55 pm
You can actually get panacur pellets for pigs and cattle.....


thanx, from where?
no i cant see any lice, and i presumed mites would be too small too see?
is it quite normal for tammies to moult then?
thanx
Title: Re: external parasite prevention
Post by: supplies for smallholders on July 16, 2011, 09:45:24 pm
Piggy - If you do the following Google search "panacur for pigs and cattle" you will get pages of places that sell it.....