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The days of driving an entire feedyard full of cattle through a dipping vat remain only in the history books. With the introduction of pour-on products like Ivomec, Cydectin and Dectomax, mites and scabies are not a widespread problem. "We just don't see it like we used to," says Dr. M.G. Scroggs, a veterinarian for Merial. "The cow/calf sector was a reservoir for the scabies mite. Since the introduction of Ivomec and other similar products, the population of mites on the farm has been reduced." Scroggs said feedyards still watch for the parasite and are usually quick to treat an infected animal. "Treating infected animals as they enter the feedyard prevents the possibility of a widespread outbreak," he said. "It has led to the disappearance of dipping vats in feedyards." Scroggs pointed out that cattle are still dipped when they cross the border from Mexico into the United States, however that is to prevent the spread of the cattle fever tick. Mites can be found on some ranches where not every animal was gathered to be treated. "If one or two infected cows are missed, they have the potential to reinfect the entire herd," he explains. However recent research showed cattle that received a dose of injectable Ivomec four days or more prior to re-exposure remained resistant to reinfection. Scroggs said another product is proving to be an asset in the stocker cattle industry. Ivomec SR bolus, which is labeled for a type of tick, works to keep cattle parasite free for 135 days. "Ivomec SR bolus, which is licensed for cattle weighing 275 to 660 pounds, has shown 30 to 110 pounds of additional weight gain in stocker cattle," Scroggs says. "It basically deworms the cattle every day." Scroggs says the bolus is ideal for intensive grazing programs and heavily stocked pasture. |
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