Long Range

Merial has lauched a new sustained release dewormer called LongRange.  The product is a sustained release eprinomectin dewormer which effectively controls internal parasites for 100 to 120 days depending on the parasite.  This essentially can keep cattle parasite free for the entire grazing period.  With high feed costs and concerns about drought now is an important time to consider getting the most efficient use out of your pasture.  A component of this is good parasite control.  Deworming with LongRange and thus eliminating parasites will result in great return on investment measured in more pounds of calf weaned this fall.

Since the product forms a gel upon injection there are some precautions that should be considered when administering.  First of all minimize bottle stopper punctures.  Air and contamination in the bottle can activate the product and begin the gel formation.  This product is best injected with a hose type syringe attached to the bottle.  Secondly use entire bottle contents preferably in one day.  This may mean that you will need smaller bottle sizes if cattle are processed over a few days.  Lastly be sure you have the correct syringe.  Simply ask us and we will get you the correct injection equipment.

- Dr. Larry Goelz

Newborn Calf Health

This spring has been a challenging one for newborn and growing calves.  The cold and wet weather has brought about an environment that makes it harder for calves to survive.  Calves born in the cold and wet environments have a harder time drying off and getting up to nurse.  When they do nurse the cow’s udder is often full of mud and manure which spreads diseases in the calf’s first meal. Calves that are slow to nurse are more prone to have failure of passive transfer and are more susceptible to disease.  The stress of cold wet weather also causes immune suppression making calves more susceptible to disease.  One of the most common diseases we are seeing this year is diarrhea in calves.  The biggest cause of scours has been coccidiosis.  Some of the other causes we see are E. Coli, Coronavirus, Rotavirus, Salmonella, Clostridium, and Cryptosporidium.

The most important aspect of treatment is supportive care.  Keeping the calf hydrated is the number one priority in treating scours. The second priority is getting the calf dry and warmed up. When calves begin to scour they lose a significant amount of water in their manure and are unable to absorb as much water across the intestine. To maintain hydration, oral electrolytes should be administered as soon as you see loose stools in the calves. My favorite would be Hydra-lyte.  One packet mixes up easily in 2 quarts of warm water.  Electrolytes should be fed at about 102°F.  This should be done once or twice a day until the stools return to normal.

If you cannot stay ahead of hydration with oral electrolytes you can administer fluids SQ on either side of the neck, between the shoulder blades, and along the ribcage. SQ fluids should be administered along with sodium bicarb when the calf begins to get slow, weak, and has a harder time suckling the cow.  If the calf is down, has difficulty getting up, or has no suckle reflex then IV fluids need to be administered. We have saved numerous calves with IV fluids this spring.  Coccidiosis Sulfa drugs such as Sustain III pills, work well as adjunct treatment to fluids.  With bacterial causes of diarrhea, injectable antibiotics work well as adjunct treatment to fluids.  If you have questions on treatment, diagnosis, or electrolytes, please give us a call, we would love to help you.

 -Dr. Brett Kroeze

Pour-ons and Fly Tags

Even though we’ve just been through one of the worst stretches of winter weather I can remember in late April and early May, I’ve noticed a few of our “on-the-ball” beef clients stopping in the clinic and asking questions about fly control.  There’s no guarantee that the prolonged winter will delay the onset of fly season, so I wanted to address external parasites and their control.  Though this will focus on beef cattle, a lot of the principles will apply to dairy, and possibly for other animals, especially those in close proximity to cattle.

Parasite awareness and prevention usually starts in early May for a couple of reasons: Many of the beef producers are turning their pairs out on grass, which is a common time for worming them, and flies start to show up.  Fly control affects beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses, and other outdoor pets and livestock.  Unfortunately, there aren’t any products available that provide season-long fly protection, so re-application is often needed during fly season.  In addition, flies are experts at developing resistance, and the “survival of the fittest” principle applies, meaning that controlling flies gets more difficult every summer.  It is important to rotate products (drug categories), and use the best techniques or combination of techniques available that fits your management style to control flies, and keep in mind that flies don’t always look at the calendar, and rarely read books, so “rules” are hard to define.

Fly Tags

Most literature suggests not putting fly tags in until populations build up to a level where you see 100-200 flies per adult animal.  This figure is derived by research that shows levels below this does not adversely affect the cattle’s feeding or resting behaviors.  There is 100% agreement that one of the worst things that you can do from a resistance standpoint is to leave the fly tags in until you put new ones in the following year; they should be clipped out at the end of fly season or removed and replaced with new ones in the situation where fly season may be prolonged into fall and the fly tags are no longer effective by mid-August.  Fly tags contain a combination of insecticides within the “matrix” of the tag, and the slapping action of cattle flipping their ears and grooming their backs and sides releases the drug onto the hair, where it is carried to the skin and dispersed.  Depending on the drug, as well as weather conditions, the efficacy of the tag will range from 2-5 months.  With very few exceptions, there are two drug classes, “Organophosphates” and “Permethrins/pyrethrins.”  It is recommended to rotate between classes each year.  Combination tags are available, but some experts argue that using them breaks the cardinal rule of rotating and resting the different classes.  A list of the different fly tags that we carry or order frequently and the drug category they are in is available at the front counter, and our vets and staff can help you with questions.

Pour Ons and Sprays

Pour-ons are generally divided into two categories: Those that address both internal and external parasites, and those that only address external parasites.  Pour-ons that take care of both internal and external parsites include Dectomax, Cydectin, Ivomec Eprinex, and generic ivermectins such as Noromectin.  In terms of external parasite control, these will all do a good job against lice and provide short-term fly protection.  Pour-ons that are specific for external parasites include De-Lice, Saber, and Ultra Boss.  Some of these provide extended protection (depending on weather and management/housing) against external parasites.  Another way to deliver these drugs to the animals is through sprays, misters/foggers, and oilers or back-rubbers.  These products are typically more concentrated and not meant to be applied directly to animals, and are supplied with mixing and dosing directions.  As with the fly tags, there are different drug classes, and it is important to be consistent when deciding which chemicals to use.  Our vets and staff will be able to help you if you have questions.

- Dr. Curt Vlietstra