If you’re working with cattle drenches for the first time, it’s essential to know how to properly apply and overall use it. Not knowing how to properly handle and use cattle drenches can affect its effectiveness and also delay the help your cattle needs.
cattle drenching, also known as deworming or worming, is a vital procedure in the field of livestock management. It is crucial in managing the internal parasites that affect cow herds. This vital process protects the animals' health and welfare, preserving their production and enhancing overall sustainability.
So to properly use cattle drench, below are some dos and don’ts to consider:
Dos when handling cattle drench:
Use the correct drenching products
Prioritise choosing deworming treatments that are specific to the parasites that are common in your area when doing cattle drenching to ensure both safety and effectiveness. When selecting appropriate remedies, take into account your cattle's age, weight, and overall health.
To maximise the benefits of deworming while lowering hazards, strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions on dose, mode of administration, and withdrawal times.
Follow the cattle drench schedule
Creating a thorough deworming programme requires creating a plan that fits your herd's specific needs while accounting for a range of variables, including local parasite prevalence and environmental circumstances.
Work together with a licenced veterinarian to create a deworming programme that is specifically suited to the needs of your herd. This will ensure maximum production and health while reducing the hazards associated with internal parasites.
Apply and use the drenching solution accurately
Ensuring the health and welfare of your herd of cattle depends on the correct dewormer application. Use accurate dose readings and calibrated drenching tools, such as oral syringes or drench guns, to reduce the dangers related to overdosing or underdosing.
By using the right administration methods, the dewormer is guaranteed to be delivered to each animal's mouth, maximising its absorption and effectiveness and reducing the risk of negative side effects.
To maintain the greatest possible health and production for your herd, familiarise yourself with best practices and consult with veterinary specialists to make sure that dosage recommendations and administration protocols are strictly followed.
Rotate deworming products
Use a planned deworming approach that alternates between several dewormer classes to stop parasite populations from becoming resistant to drugs. Work with your veterinarian to create a rotation schedule that will minimise resistance risk and maximise effectiveness.
Maintain good hygiene
When handling and giving dewormers to cattle, observe proper hygienic procedures. Thoroughly clean and sanitise drenching equipment to reduce the possibility of disease transmission and avoid animal-to-animal cross-contamination.
Don'ts when handling cattle drench:
Overdosing cattle
Steer clear of overdosing your cattle on dewormers because it might have adverse effects such as toxicity and drug residues in milk and meat. Consistently determine the suitable dose by considering the weight of every animal and adhering to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
Overlook withdrawal periods
Follow the withdrawal period listed on dewormer labels to the letter to avoid residues showing up in cow tissues or items meant for human consumption. Breaking withdrawal deadlines might put food safety in danger and have legal ramifications.
Neglect parasite resistance
Avoid using dewormers indiscriminately or depending too much on one class without taking the possibility of parasite resistance into account. By using a rotating deworming approach, the efficacy of deworming products is sustained throughout time and resistance is prevented from developing.
Drenching weak, sick or stressed cattle
Whenever possible, proceed with caution and avoid drenching sick, weak, or agitated animals. Also, avoid submerging them in water during the deworming process. This can aggravate pre-existing medical disorders and increase the danger to their health. Prioritising the restoration of their general health and energy must come first, even before deworming them.
To increase their resilience and improve their capacity to endure the deworming procedure, concentrate on putting into practice strategies to address underlying health difficulties, such as offering suitable medical care, nutrition, and supportive care.
Ensuring the well-being of animals and achieving the best possible results requires consulting with veterinary specialists to create a complete health management plan that is customised to meet the specific needs of each animal.
