Worming a cow

PrettyPaisley · #1 01/18/14, 11:41 PM

My goats are wormy and I am wondering about my cow. She is thin - but she always seemed thin to me (other than when she was pregnant). I've had her two years and haven't wormed her - but I'm about to worm all my goats because we are really stuggling.

Should I worm her or have the vet do a fecal first? I don't know cows or how it works in cows but I figure since they share a pasture I should be prudent and not risk anything. The vet who helped me with the goats said to just do the Cydectin Pour On. I don't want to do just anything - is this the right thing to do? Do cows have several types of parasites the same way goats do?

haypoint · #2 01/19/14, 07:17 AM

Have you tried garlic and rose hips? How about DE and tobacco juice? I'd like you to avoid chemical remedies. Has to be at least a dozen homeopathic remedies. Don't give in to the chemical companies. I have heard copper is good for expelling worms.
Always distrust the advice of the vet.

G. Seddon · #3 01/19/14, 08:11 AM

I've always heard that cows and goats do not have the same internal parasites, and that is one of the advantages of their sharing pastures, but I don't know much about goats except they require frequent (monthly?) deworming.

After two years, I imagine the cow needs deworming, but it wouldn't hurt to take a fecal sample in for analysis. Why would you not take your vet's advice on this?

I strongly suggest that you get a good basic cattle book and perhaps one on goats as well so that you can read up on some management things like deworming. Heather Smith Thomas is a good author to start with. You might ask on the goat board for a recommended book as well. It's helpful to have a reference to turn to when you have questions and the internet isn't always the most reliable source of information, especially in an emergency.

PrettyPaisley · #4 01/19/14, 08:53 AM

Thanks DoubleR. She's a Guernsey.

I was at the vet with a goat. We were not discussing my cow so I am not ignoring any advice she gave.

PrettyPaisley · #5 01/19/14, 09:02 AM

Oh and Haypoint - as always thank you for taking time from your very busy and certainly lucrative lifestyle to share your endless knowledge so willingly. Your kindness and
generosity knows no limits and I feel confident with every post I make you will offer something I that will greatly enhance my ability to build the life I hope to pass on to my girls.

God bless your sweet heart.

jwal10 · #6 01/19/14, 05:38 PM

Is the cow milking at this time? Do you want to use a wormer now? I didn't during lactation....James

PrettyPaisley · #7 01/19/14, 07:26 PM

She is dry now and I'd love to worm her ASAP not only for her health but also so I can breed her.

Raymond James · #8 01/19/14, 07:39 PM

Pour on is the easiest way to do it. Takes less than 5 minutes to walk out and pour it on if she stands for you. If not put her in a pen or chute.

If she has not been wormed in a long time repeat it, directions should be on the container.

Spring and fall is what is normally recommended.

PrettyPaisley · #9 01/19/14, 08:36 PM

Repeat it as in immediately ? Like two doses - one right after the other ?

**gone-a-milkin** · #10 01/19/14, 08:47 PM

Here is the full list of ingredients and directions for use for Cydectin pour on.

For what it is worth, I have used this stuff for many years on hundreds of animals w/o any ill effects.
You will see a greasy line down their back, that is it.

http://www.drugs.com/vet/cydectin-pour-on.html

Awnry Abe · #11 01/19/14, 10:52 PM

From what I understand about the life cycle of even a few of the internal parasites that affect goats, I find it difficult to comprehend that the same types would also NOT affect cattle. With that assumption, I would strongly caution you to not under dose. And if you have found a class of wormer that is not effective on your goats, don't bother using it on the family cow.

haypoint · #12 01/20/14, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyPaisley

Oh and Haypoint - as always thank you for taking time from your very busy and certainly lucrative lifestyle to share your endless knowledge so willingly. Your kindness and
generosity knows no limits and I feel confident with every post I make you will offer something I that will greatly enhance my ability to build the life I hope to pass on to my girls.

God bless your sweet heart.

Just can't win with some folks. After years of defending scientifically proven wormers and calling the homeopathic methods mostly nonsense, I take the opposite view and low and behold, no one perpetuates the wives tales.
Hope you get the parasites out of your livestock and the damage isn't life threatening.