deworming

[o&itw]

"Burke found that gel capsules filled with copper oxide wire particles eliminated the need for conventional wormers in all but one case."

http://www.sheepmagazine.com/issues/31/31-5/cutting_wormer_dependence.html

Anyone heard about this?

[Alice In TX/MO]

It has been MUCH discussed. It does help reduce the worm population, but it does NOT eliminate the need for fecal testing and deworming with chemical products as necessary, especially in the south.

That is the same product we use for copper bolusing/supplementation.

Here's VallyVet's page about it. I do not agree with their choice of a chemical dewormer, but ..... it's still interesting reading and it has pics.
http://blog.valleyvet.com/blog/2011/...for-goats.html

[Alice In TX/MO]

This is the "go to" page for copper deficiency and copper bolusing.
http://www.saanendoah.com/copper1.html

[CaliannG]

Copper oxide rods work well on barberpole worms. That is the only parasite that they are REALLY effective at controlling. They have varying efficiency with other types of parasites.

There are many, many natural substances that will *reduce* the need to use chemical wormers, but so far, none that will actually *eliminate* the need for chemical wormers.

The best management is to know the health of your herd. Do fecal testing regularly, in the warmer months, so that you can record the effectiveness of different wormers (both natural and chemical) in your area. Georgraphy and climate do have a large effect on parasite control.

[o&itw]

I suspect that here in Missouri (I will be in the Southeast, more rainfall than the Southwest) that worms, especially barber worms will be a major threat.

I was under the mistaken(?) opinion that the copper was for a mineral need and not a nematode preventative. Any further explanation would be appreciated. Are these copper boluses filled with copper oxide rods? I am of the "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" crowd. Since I hear so much about barber worms being resistant to many of the anti-helmitics, I was wondering if it would something to consider, to allow less frequent worming.

[CaliannG]

Copper is actually for both. Goats need a HUGE amount of copper. So much, in fact, that copper toxicity in goats is nearly unheard of, except in areas that has insane amounts of it in the soil.

Copper boluses are, indeed, filled with copper oxide rods. Barberpole worms are sensitive to high copper concentrates, so the action of the rods in the digestive tract of the animal poisons them.

So, with bolusing, you are actually fulfilling two functions:

1. Giving the goat the copper it needs for good health.
2. Reducing the parasite load of barberpole worms.