20 August 2007

2 minute read

Europe

Changing the time that cattle are wormed could reduce pneumonia cases during the winter housing period.

The company said calf pneumonia was arguably responsible for the most significant source of financial loss in beef production and, although treatments were available to control losses, there were also a number of management tools that should be considered to further reduce the risks.

At this time of the year the trauma of being weaned, a high risk of contracting gut or lung worms and the added stress of being housed could all affect the health and profitability of suckler calves.

Carolyn Hogan, Pfizer veterinary manager, said that if worming, weaning and housing could all be achieved on separate occasions over a five week period – and in that order – then the stress on the animal will be minimised and its health and weight gain would benefit.

In the past the persistency of wormers had not been long enough to justify early worming but the development of Dectomax, claimed to prevent new infestations for five weeks after treatment, had changed that, she said.

Dr Basil Lowman, a beef specialist with the Scottish Agricultural College, said early worming was a sensible management tool to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

“In addition to killing stomach and gutworms, a five-weeks pre-housing dose of long-acting wormer will also kill lungworm. Crucially, this timing will allow enough time for dead worms to be coughed up and for lung damage to repair while cattle are still outside and under no stress.

Source: Farmers Guardian