The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: OhLaLa on November 04, 2013, 04:27:03 pm
-
Our timing for worming (after lambing) seems ok, but cocci and fluke?
And which brand do you use?
-
Cocci - only treat when you need to, as diagnosed by your vet. Or better still try not to get it in the first place!
Fluke - depends on your area, ask your vet in the first instance about the local conditions, also consult the Nadis forecast. There are two (or three) main chemicals used in flukicides, and you would pick the one that is most suitable depending on the time of year - if you read/listen to the November Nadis forecast there is quite a bit in there on Fluke. Also read here: http://www.eblex.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Leaflet-Reducing-liver-fluke.pdf (http://www.eblex.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Leaflet-Reducing-liver-fluke.pdf)
Don't focus on "brands", learn what the chemicals are instead. Eblex have a good guide to the different products available: http://www.eblex.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Booklet-Parasite-control-guide.pdf (http://www.eblex.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Booklet-Parasite-control-guide.pdf)
-
Good links, thanks for taking the time to reply.
-
Not all flukicides kill all stages of fluke - there are three stages immature, late immature and adult - plus eggs. The lifecycle of a fluke is about 3 months. And unlike wormers, which have a persistence in the system, flukicides kill the fluke that are there when the chemical is administered only.
So if you use a flukicide that kills late immature and adult fluke 7-12 weeks, any fluke younger than that will not be affected so you may choose to dose again in eight - 12 weeks or so.
Also the same chemical can have different effects depending on whether it is a drench, a pour-on or an injection. For example, triclabendazole is 90-95% effective against all stages as drench bou 90-95% effective against 7-12 week fluke as a pour-on.
It's bloody complicated ::)
-
I don't think there are any pour-on flukicides for sheep? (only cattle maybe?)
-
We tend to rely on vet for advice re what to do. He's very good and will write us up for smaller doses for our 12 sheep. This year we've used cydectin for worms and fasinex for fluke on his recommendation.
-
Thanks for that devonlad, I've looked up the product info on Fasinex and it's just what I need as kills all stages.