Worm and lice control at one time

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32862, 10 March 1972, Page 13

Worm and lice control at one time

There has been an interesting development in the past week in the animal health field—the introduction of a product which when applied as a “pour-on” to the back of a cattle beast will act as a means of control both of internal parasites or worms and also lice at the same time.

It is believed that this is the first time that such a dual-purpose product has been released anywhere in the world. Mr J. S. McCully, South Island technical officer of Ivon Watkins-Dow, Ltd, said this week that the release of the product was the result of work started about three years ago by Dr R. Buchanan, an entomologist in the research department of the company. It was based on a systemic organophosphate insecticide crufomate. Applied along the backline of the animal with a drenching gun or from a graduated beaker it rapidly penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream, so that it is ingested both by

> the worms in the animal’s i gut and also by the lice s feeding on its skin. Peak i levels of the chemical in the bloodstream occur about i two hours after application f and activity continues for , a few days thereafter. However it is very rapidly ; metabolised by the animal I and Mr McCully says that r they are quite satisfied that there will be no residue . problem in meat The chemical is already widely : used overseas for control of > cattle grub. Nevertheless it is ■ stressed that fanners should t not treat beef cattle within t 28 days of slaughter, dairy i cows in milk or within 14 - days of calving, and calves > should not be treated withr in 12 weeks of birth.

Trial data has established that it will give a similar degree of control of worms as other broad spectrum anthelmintics and it also controls lice when used for control of worms, but because of the various species of worms that may be present and also because it is not effective against particularly lungworm, it is recommended that the new dual-pun>ose material be used within the framework of a normal drenching programme, with some other broad spectrum anthelmintic being used both before and after two or three applications of the new material. It is suggested that at least half of the drenches that have been administered against worms might be replaced by the new product. The dose rate is based on the live-weight of the beast concerned, and discussing the cost of the treatment Mr McCully said that for a 4001 b beast it would be 52c. However the cost could be reduced as they were in the process of applying for a Government subsidy on drenches.